(Updated 5:32 p.m.) - The death toll from Typhoon Pablo (Bopha), the strongest cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, went up to 238 as of Wednesday afternoon as it continued on its path from Mindanao to the Visayas and Palawan.

 

Ripping roofs, blowing away homes, and toppling trees, Pablo wreaked havoc in southern Philippines with its 210-kph gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

 

In New Bataan town in Compostela Valley, 142 people died and 241 others were missing, according to an Agence France-Presse report quoting Lieutenant-Colonel Lyndon Paniza.

 

In Davao Oriental, 81 people died while 15 more were reported killed in other areas, according to Paniza and the Civil Defense Office.

 

95 fatalities recorded by NDRRMC

 

As of Wednesday noon, however, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) tallied only 95 fatalities.

 

Of the number, only 18 have been identified as of 12:45 p.m.

 

Among the identified fatalities were:

Most of the bodies so far recovered by search-and-rescue teams were from Southern Mindanao.

 

Thirty-three unidentified bodies were from New Bataan, seven from Montevista, and eight from Monkayo, all in Compostela Valley, as well as 16 in Cateel, 12 in Boston, and one in Baganga, all in Davao Oriental

 

The number of injured also rose to 61.

 

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda attributed the NDRRMC's lower figures to the official and standard process that the government follows when reporting casualties.

“First, there must be certification from the Department of Health (DOH), i.e., validate that the cause of death is a consequence of the calamity, followed by positive identification of the remains by anyone familiar with the victim,” according to a statement from Malacañang quoting Lacierda.

 

“Therefore, pending necessary requirements and procedures, all reported figures in the news remain unofficial,” Lacierda added.

 

The NDRRMC reported that 44,954 families or 213,502 persons have been affected by the typhoon so far. As of 1 p.m., Wednesday, NDRRMC said 2,776 houses were destroyed by Pablo in Regions X and Caraga. 

 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided P1.2 million assistance to the victims, while local government units were able to provide P2.04 million in assistance.

 

Davao coastal towns isolated

 

Meanwhile, in his report sent to Malacañang, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the worst damage from Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental was reported in the coastal towns of Baganga, Cateel, and Boston. 

 

“Compounding the damage sustained, the three towns—with a population of approximately 150,000 individuals—have become isolated as bridge connections—south from Mati and North from Compostela Valley—were struck down during the typhoon,” he said.

 

He said relief goods—primarily food, water, generators, tents, and medicine provided by the DSWD, local government units, and civilian donations—are stored in the capital, Mati. 

 

Roxas authorized the mayor of Mati and the governor of Davao Oriental to use their calamity funds for hiring all available fishing boats for an immediate transfer of goods to the affected areas.

 

In addition, Transportation and Communications Secretary Emilio Abaya is sending a vessel from the Philippine Coast Guard to help distribute the relief goods. The Philippine Navy has likewise arranged to send over a vessel to the stricken province.

 

Roxas said the situation in the rest of Davao Oriental is getting back to normal, and there are no visible signs of damage. 

 

“The most difficult challenge we face is the restoration of power to the entire province, due to electric posts that were toppled during the typhoon. The local electric cooperative has assured us that gradual restoration of power begins twenty-four to thirty-six hours from now,” he said. 

 

Price monitoring

 

Meanwhile, a separate dzBB report said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered price monitoring in areas affected by the typhoon.

 

DTI Director Victor Dimagiba said they will not allow profiteering especially after such a tragedy.

 

He cited initial reports indicating prices of basic goods remained stable in Western Visayas and Negros Oriental.

 

Pablo made landfall on the eastern coast of Mindanao early Tuesday, bringing driving rain and strong winds that forced more than 56,000 to seek refuge in emergency shelters.

It made landfall in Palawan on Wednesday morning.

 

It was the sixteenth storm this year to ravage the Philippines, which is hit with about 20 cyclones annually.

 

In December last year Mindanao was pummeled by tropical storm Sendong (Washi) which killed more than 1,200 and left hundreds of thousands homeless. 

 

US, Canada offer assistance

 

Canada also said it is ready to provide assistance to the victims of Typhoon Pablo, as it extended condolences to those affected by the devastation wrought by storm.

 

"We stand with the people of the Philippines during this difficult time and remain ready to provide assistance if requested," Canada’s embassy in Manila said in a statement.

 

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy also said: “On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to those who have lost loved ones or have been otherwise affected by Typhoon Bopha."

 

Officials at the embassy of Canada in Manila said they are closely following the path of the storm that has left hundreds of people dead and scores missing across Mindanao and Visayas region, and continues to ravage Palawan. — with a report from Michaela del Callar/Andrei Medina/KBK/KG/VS/YA, GMA News