NDRRMC: 154 reported dead, 35 missing due to Paeng

The reported number of fatalities due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng has increased to 154, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said only 101 of the reported deaths have been confirmed so far while the other 53 are still up for validation.

Most of the fatalities were in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with 63 deaths, followed by Calabarzon and Western Visayas with 33 each.

According to the NDRRMC, 128 were reported injured and 35 were reported missing.

A total of 4,124,267 people or 1,176,074 families in 9,107 barangays across all regions were affected by Paeng.

Of the total affected population, 123,024 people or 31,204 families were staying inside 1,186 evacuation centers, while 911,226 people or  328,264 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 25,109 houses were damaged—22,487 partially and 2,622 totally.

Around P2.709 billion damage to agriculture due to Paeng was reported. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) reported P36.940 million worth of damage.

Meanwhile, Paeng also reportedly caused P2.913 billion damage to infrastructure.

A total of 437 cities and municipalities were declared under a state of calamity.

Assistance worth P149,978,734 has been provided to Paeng victims, according to the NDRRMC.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said at least 15 health facilities were damaged following the onslaught of Paeng.

At the press briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said these 15 health facilities damaged are from Regions 3, 4A, 6, 12, and CAR.

She said all of these facilities are functional, while minor damage were also being repaired.

“Dito sa mga facilities na nadamage during the typhoon Paeng. Mayroon tayong 15 health facilities coming from Regions 3, 4A, 6, 12, and CAR. Wala namang tumigil na operation sa kahit na anong facility na naapektuhan na ito,” Vergeire said.

(We have 15 health facilities damaged from Regions 3, 4A, 6, 12, and CAR. Despite these, the operations of these damaged facilities have not stopped.)

“All of these facilities are functional, nirerepair lang natin yung minor damage sa kanila. We have seven hospitals, six barangay health stations, and two rural health units na nag comprise nitong 15 health facilities na ito,” she added.

(All of these facilities are functional, we only repair minor damage to them. We have seven hospitals, six barangay health stations, and two rural health units that comprise these 15 health facilities.)

On Thursday, the Department of Budget and Management said concerned government agencies can tap the remaining P6.8 billion under the NDRRM Fund for response and relief efforts

Paeng made landfall over Camarines Sur on October 29 and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on October 31.—Joviland Rita and Richa Noriega/AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News