98 reported dead, 63 missing due to Paeng —NDRRMC

The number of fatalities due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) has climbed to 98, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

“Yung casualty naman po ay tumaas, 98 na po ang reported dead sa amin and may 69 na injured and 63 na missing,” NDRRMC Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(The number of casualties has increased, the fatalities reported to us are 98 already, there are 69 injured, and there are 63 missing.)

Based on its report on Monday morning, the NDRRMC said 53 of the fatalities were reported in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 19 in Western Visayas, 12 in Calabarzon, six in Eastern Visayas, four in Zamboanga, three in Soccsksargen, and one in Bicol.

A total of 1,953,814 persons or 590,990 families in 5,108 barangays in 17 regions were affected by Paeng, which is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday.

Of the total number of affected persons, 309,218 individuals or 83,243 families were staying inside 4,024 evacuation centers, while 666,156 people or 243,575 families were taking temporary shelter in other places.

In Noveleta, Cavite, the Ylang-Ylang River overflowed and flooded a residential area after its river wall collapsed during the onslaught of Paeng, according to Mariz Umali's report on Unang Balita.

Affected residents said it was the first time they experienced such flooding after decades of living in the area.

A total of 4,188 houses were reported damaged — 4,188 partially and 689 totally.

Damage to agriculture worth P435,464,774.16, meanwhile, was reported in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen.

On the other hand, damage to infrastructure worth P757,841,175 was reported in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said the south portion of the province is isolated due to bridges and roads damaged by Paeng.

“We are isolated kasi doon sa may papunta sa Iloilo may isang malaking bridge sa Miagao, Iloilo, na na nasira din sa Oyungan,” Cadiao said.

(We are isolated because the Oyungan bridge going to Miagao, Iloilo, was damaged.)

Due to this, Cadiao asked other local governments to provide planes and boats so relief goods can be delivered to the affected residents.

Alejandro said 1,014 incidents, mostly flooding, were reported due to Paeng.

The NDRRMC said 169 of the 263 affected cities and municipalities were still experiencing power interruption as of the time of the report. Seven of the eight affected cities and municipalities, meanwhile, still have no water supply.

Forty-two of the 45 affected cities and municipalities were still having issues with communication lines, the NDRRMC added.

A total of 158 cities and municipalities were declared under the State of Calamity due to Paeng.

According to Alejandro, the NDRRMC has recommended declaring a nationwide State of Calamity due to Paeng to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. There is no feedback yet from Marcos about the recommendation, he said.

Assistance worth P32,300,178.11 has been provided to Paeng victims, according to the NDRRMC.

As of 5 a.m. on Monday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over 20 areas as Paeng moved toward the northwestern limit of PAR.

At 4 a.m. on Monday, the center of Paeng was estimated to be located at 320 km west northwest of Iba, Zambales or 340 km west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

It has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 105 km/h, and central pressure of 990 hPa. —KBK, GMA News