Baybay City death toll reaches 62, declares state of calamity

The death toll in Baybay City has reached 62 while the number missing persons is now 140, the latest figures from the City Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Office showed.

According to Nikko Sereno’s report on " 24 Oras", the city had been placed under a state of calamity following the landslides and torrential flooding in the area.

Mayor Jose Carlos Cari said the city government had organized relief efforts that will aid the victims.

He pledged to build temporary shelter for homeless families affected by the landslide.

“Gagawa tayo ng temporary shelter nila malapit sa livelihood nila,” Cari said.

(We will build a temporary shelter near their livelihood.)

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista visited Baybay to distribute relief goods to the victims.

Bautista said the national government would build a housing project for typhoon-hit communities.

Search, rescue and retrieval operations will continue even during the Holy Week.

“Ang national housing authority, ‘yan ang inutusan ng President na magtayo ng pabahay para doon sa pamilyang kailangan ilikas na sa sinasabing danger area,” Bautista said.

(The President has ordered the National Housing Authority to establish free housing and evacuate families living in the so-called danger area.) —Mel Matthew Doctor and Sundy Locus/LDF/NB, GMA News