NDRMMC: Death toll from floods up to 68

The death toll from floods and landslides in the past weeks reached 68 on Friday evening, even as the number of people affected by the floods continues to rise. In its 6 p.m. update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also said the number of injured rose to 13 while 26 remain missing. Among the latest fatalities were:

• Bong Escando and Beto Roldan, fishermen from the FB Jonathan 1;
• Nestor Banzuelo, 55, of Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte (drowning);
• Diomedes Nube, 60, of Brgy. Mahagnao, Burauen, Leyte;
• Edmar Quiza, 14, of Brgy. 12 Palanog, Tacloban City, Leyte (drowning); and
• Victorio Elumba, 67, of Brgy. Lokilokon, Paranas, Samar (severe hypothermia);

The recent list of injured included Jeffrey Artajo, 11; Romeo Lumambas, 62; and Nemencia Nietes, 65, all of Sitio Rurwanga Pugaan in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. Still missing are 26 people, the most recent of whom include Michael Atay of Brgy. Gaboc, Mercedes in Camarines Norte. The NDRRMC said the floods had affected 375,355 families or 1,876,510 people in 2,098 villages in 181 towns and 17 cities in 25 provinces. At least 747 houses were destroyed while 4,536 were damaged. The estimated damage to property went up to P1.785 billion, including P422.458 million in agriculture and P1.342 billion in infrastructure. Disaster management officials ordered the preemptive evacuation of 219 families or 1,136 people in a landslide-prone area in Calaguimit village in Oas, Albay. Meanwhile, Darong village in Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur was declared under a state of calamity. — TJD, GMANews.TV