At least 6 reported dead in Cagayan, Cordillera Regions due to Maring –LGUs

Six people reportedly died in the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Regions due to Severe Tropical Storm Maring, local government officials said Tuesday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas said aside from the three minors who were said to have died, two others were also reported dead due to landslides in Itogon.

Citing initial reports, Diclas said the three minors were eating when they were covered by landslides. Authorities are still looking into the details of the incident.

The governor meanwhile added that the Marcos Highway going to Baguio was passable, and the Asin Road and Naguilian Road are now open.

Eighty four (84) families were affected in Itogon, while 20 families were affected in La Trinidad by STS Maring.

The provincial government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had provided food packs and hygiene kits to families evacuated in Itogon.

In a separate Super Radyo dzBB interview, Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Darwin Sacramed said one reported casualty was a security guard from the Philippine Ports Authority.

Sacramed added that the security officer was in the middle of his inspection rounds when he was caught by a powerful wave and slammed down on the port's concrete floor. The victim was rushed to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Sacramed reported that 13,819 persons or 2,820 families evacuated due to STS Maring. Seven hundred ninety one (791) families stayed in evacuation centers during the storm, but 43 remained as of the Tuesday morning.

Sacramed said they had shifted to relief and recovery efforts following response operations and had started their risk and damage assessment.

Initial damage to crops reached P14 million, while damages to livestock amounted to P53,000.

Meanwhile, GMA News' Darlene Cay reported on Balitanghali that several areas were flooded and motorists were stranded in La Trinidad due to heavy rains and strong winds brought by Maring.

Some residents asked to be rescued as water levels rose in their areas.

The MDRRMO La Trinidad reported that 40 hectares of strawberries and vegetables were destroyed due to incessant rains.

Some areas in Baguio City meanwhile lost power supply.

A chest-deep flood was experienced in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur after the nearby river burst its banks.

Police officers at the Sugpon Police station saved their office's belongings to avoid getting damaged.

However, residents in Tuguegarao, Cagayan ignored the raging floods near the Capatan Bridge and collected driftwood from the Cagayan River.

The level of the Chico River rose in Bontoc, Mountain Province due to incessant rains, and the area nearly lost electrical power. — DVM, GMA News