NDCC identifies 6 'Mina' fatalities

At least six Bicol residents, including an 88-year-old man, were among the initial fatalities of typhoon "Mina" after it brought heavy rains and winds on the Bicol region over the weekend. In its report dated Sunday noon, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) also said authorities are preparing to evacuate some 54,000 residents from 16 flood-prone towns in Isabela province in Northern Luzon. The fatalities were identified as RJ Evita Mago, 7, of Barangay (village) Tabas, Paracale, Camarines Norte; Roger Madrelejos, 26, of Bgy. Los Angeles in Buhi, Camarines Sur; Estela Sertes, 70, of Bgy. Mabca, Sagnay, Camarines Sur; Bernardo Agpoon, 75, of Bgy. Batong, Pamplona, Camarines Sur; Eustaquio Barosa, 88, of Bgy. San Felipe, Naga City; and Randy Cugang, 31, of Bgy. Dalingan, Tinambak, Camarines Sur. Of the six, Cugang died due to electrocution while the others drowned. Also, the NDCC report said that in Isabela, the road from Cabagan to Sta. Maria remained impassable on the portion of the overflow bridge due to swollen Cagayan River. It recommended as an alternate road the highway from Gamu to Roxas, Isabela. All other roads in the province remained passable so far, it said. Meanwhile, the NDCC said 71 families or 350 persons from four villages in Mauban, Macalcion and Tagkawayan in Quezon remain in four evacuation centers. The NDCC also said 1,355 passengers, 115 trucks, six small cars, 10 passenger buses and 14 vessels are still stranded in Sorsogon, Legazpi and Masbate as of noon. At least 5,676 families or 28,355 persons from 93 villages in eight towns (Bagamanoc, Virac, Caramoran, San Andres, Baras, Bato, San Miguel and Viga) in Catanduanes are currently in evacuation centers. The National Transmission Co. restored Gumaca-Kalayaan 230-KV line that tripped last Nov. 23; Gumaca-Pitogo-Mulanay 69-KV line that was out Nov. 21; and Gumaca-Hindagua 69-KV line that tripped Saturday. - GMANews.TV