'Sendong' damage to property nears P1B

As the death toll from tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi) continues to approach the 1,000 mark, authorities on Wednesday estimated the damage to property caused by the storm as nearing P1 billion.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that as of 6 a.m. Wednesday, the number of fatalities had reached 976, with 1,603 injured and 46 still missing.

 

On the other hand, the NDRRMC said "Sendong" had affected 65,067 families or 348,749 people in 319 villages in 31 towns and eight cities in 13 provinces.

 

Some 10,039 families or 44,213 people are being served in 60 evacuation centers.

 

The NDRRMC also said the estimated cost of damage to infrastructure, agriculture and school buildings has so far amounted to P999,946,415.

 

Of this amount, the damage to agriculture was initially estimated at P1,936,415 including P385,015 in Bicol and P1,551,400 in Caraga.

 

Damage to infrastructure was estimated at P998,010,000, including P946,950,000 in damaged roads and bridges and P22,800,000 in health facilities in Region 10 alone. Damaged schools

 

The NDRRMC also noted damage of P28,260,000 to schools in Region 10.

 

According to the NDRRMC, the amount included damaged schools and classrooms in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities, two areas hit hardest by "Sendong."

 

The damaged schools include the following:

Agusan del Sur (CARAGA):

 

Cagayan de Oro City (Region X):

 

Lanao del Sur (ARMM):

 

Iligan City Division:

 

At least five bridges and one road section were damaged in Central Visayas and Regions 10 and 11.

 

Under a state of calamity were Dumaguete City and Valencia town in Negros Oriental; and Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities. –KG, GMA News