NDRRMC: Death toll due to Ulysses now at 67

The death toll arising from the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses has risen to 67, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

In a message to reporters, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said 22 of the 67 fatalities were from the Cagayan Valley Region, two from Central Luzon, 17 from Calabarzon, eight from Bicol Region, 10 from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and eight from the National Capital Region (NCR).

Meanwhile, 12 people have been reported missing according to Timbal, eight of which are from the Bicol Region, three from NCR, and one from Calabarzon.

Timbal also said 21 individuals were injured during the onslaught of Ulysses as of their latest count: nine from Calabarzon, eight from Bicol Region, three from Central Luzon, and one from CAR.

Damage to agriculture

The cost of damage to agriculture is recorded at P1.19 billion, while infrastructure damage amounts to P469.7 million.

Meanwhile, the number of damaged houses from the typhoon rose to 25,852.

Typhoon Ulysses exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning.

With rescue operations already underway in Marikina City and several provinces, including Pampanga, word came of massive flooding in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela, due in part to the release of water from Magat Dam and other reservoirs after the typhoon.

While Malacañang denied that it had been caught off-guard by the flooding in Cagayan and Isabela, relief and rescue efforts were mobilized by the public, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Navy, and Vice President Leni Robredo, who coordinated rescue efforts with the Army and the Marines.

President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to visit Cagayan on Sunday, while Robredo has already reached the province on Sunday morning to give relief goods.

Duterte on Saturday said the government will deploy a sufficient number of troops to assist residents in Isabela and Cagayan affected by widespread flooding following Typhoon Ulysses' onslaught.

The President encouraged Filipinos on Saturday, saying, "Kaya natin ito, ilang pahirap na ng panahon... Babangon din tayo, mahirap pero alam mo naman ang Pilipino, alam niyang tumindig uli," he added. —RSJ/KG, GMA News