NDCC: Typhoon 'Emong' death toll now at 60

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from tropical cyclone “Emong" rose to 60 while damage to property breached the P1-billion mark Tuesday night, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said. In its report dated 6 p.m. Tuesday, NDCC said 32 of the fatalities were from Pangasinan, 17 from Ifugao, three each from La Union and Nueva Vizcaya, and two from Cagayan. The provinces of Bataan, Isabela and Zambales had one fatality each, the NDCC added. Around 53 were reported injured, 25 of them from Pangasinan, 19 from Ifugao, six from La Union, and three from Isabela. On the other hand, 13 remained missing, including four each from Pangasinan, Isabela and Cagayan and one from Nueva Vizcaya. The NDCC said “Emong" had affected at least 79,527 families or 385,833 people from 615 villages in 59 towns and seven cities in 12 provinces. Of these, 1,683 families or 6,300 people are still being served inside 52 evacuation centers. NDCC figures also showed at least 23,444 houses were destroyed while 32,716 were damaged. Damage to property was estimated at P1.281 billion, including P530.494 million in damage to infrastructure and P750.403 million in damage to agriculture. At least 571 school buildings were also damaged, with an estimated cost of P317.048 million. Several parts of Pangasinan still experienced power outages as power load in several areas have not been restored 100 percent. The Banaue-Hungduan-Mayoyao Boundary Road (Bokiawan section) and Hungduan-Tinoc Road remained closed due to landslides. The Baguio-Bontoc Road (Dantay section 2 span damaged) and Banaue-Bontoc Road were described as “close-open." - GMANews.TV