Number of deaths in W Visayas climbs to 223 - report

MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from typhoon "Frank" in Western Visayas has climbed further to 223 people, according to the regional disaster coordinating council there. A radio report said that in Iloilo province alone, 131 people were confirmed dead while 31 have died in Antique province. Also, 20 people died in Aklan province, 17 in Capiz province, two in Negros Occidental, and 22 more in Iloilo City, the radio report added. Meanwhile, 122 people in Western Visayas are still reported missing while 26 others were reported injured. Floods triggered by typhoon Frank, the radio report also said, had affected 337,421 families or 1.5 million individuals. More than 52,000 of these families are currently seeking shelter in evacuation shelter. The report from the Office of the Civil Defense in the said region also indicated that damages to infrastructure and agriculture were estimated at P2.5 billion. According to the report, along with the increase in death toll, the prices of basic commodities like rice and water have likewise spiked, after typhoon Frank lashed Western Visayas. In Aklan province, for instance, the report said that the staple is currently being sold at P60 per kilogram while a gallon of purified water can be bought for P100. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV