Death toll in Itogon landslide reaches 91

The death toll because of the landslide that hit a mining camp in Itogon, Benguet during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong has reached 91.

"Wala nang nare-retrieve, as if the bodies are all accounted for but the remaining missing in the tally board... are maybe the parts of bodies that were recovered na nalibing dito, so ini-study lang kung sino ang may kamag-anak doon," Palangdan said.

Authorities have formally ended the search and retrieval operations for the landslide victims.

According to the mayor, a ritual is being done for the victims of the landslide and the rescue team.

"May ritual dito sa kuwan, nandito lahat 'yung mga tumulong, mga rescuers at nagkatay kami ng dalawang baboy at isang aso, the program is ongoing na," Palangdan said.

Palangdan said a meeting among officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Army was held to discuss how to avoid the incident from happening again.

Itogon was among the areas severely devastated by Typhoon Ompong when it barreled through northern Luzon last month, causing landslides and floods, and leaving a swathe of destruction in agriculture and infrastructure in its wake. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News