'Basyang' toll rises to 39

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from typhoon “Basyang” rose to 39 yesterday as 84 other people remained missing, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported.

The NDCC said nine more fatalities were recorded in Central Luzon while four were reported in the Calabarzon and Bicol regions.

The fatalities in Central Luzon were identified as Rodolfo Bustamante and Odoy Diwalan, both from Naic, Cavite, who died after their fishing boat Rickmill Roy sank in Mariveles, Bataan; Apad Calipayad, 22, Joeven Aban, 20, Regie Nodalo, 24, Marcelo Abella, 28, Noel Saloman, 40, Leoncito Umppad 32, and a certain Eddie, 57, who drowned after his fishing boat Alicia sank also in Mariveles.

In the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (Calabarzon) area, a rescue team recovered the body of Albert Fortunato of Real, Quezon who was among the fishermen that drowned after their boats capsized in Polilio. The body of Efren Ledesma, 59, was also retrieved in Antipolo, Rizal. 

In Bicol, the Coast Guard found Marvin Billen and Buenaventura Lirio, who also drowned.

The NDCC said the number of those injured climbed from 18 to 84 yesterday while the damage to infrastructure and agriculture reached P148 million.

NDCC executive officer Benito Ramos said his agency is now coordinating with local officials to get the list of missing persons, mostly fishermen, passengers, and crew of vessels that sank at the height of the typhoon.

Some of those reported missing in Central Luzon were identified as Robert Cabero, 52 of Subic, Zambales; Rodolfo Pardillo, 56 and Marvin Lumasac, 30, both of Dingalan, Aurora.

Those missing in Calabarzon were Roberto Marabilla, 40 of Calamba City; Precilla Patawi, 38, Jessie Regenia, 21, Julie Yuldi, 20, Aldrich Yuldi, 2, Armando Garbantes, 38 all from Laurel, Batangas; Nelson Aguiflor, 34, Joel Balesta 24, Marciano Lim, 29, Julito Liamido, 27, Jose Uti, 43, Ronilo Reyes, 32, Arnold Villasoto, 31, Benjon Cruzat, Aladin Barreto, 29, Joel Hutalla, 26, Romualro Ladimo, 47, Ramil Lerum, 29, Simplicio Longasa, 54, Angelo Parga, 30, Orly Tampor, 34, Marvin Aguilar, 33, June de la Cruz, 44, Ireneo Tampor, 42, Nestor Zatarain, 22, and a certain Bernie all from Atimonan, Quezon; Cristobal Estioco, 38 of Lucena City, Joel Mejano, 37, of San Francisco, Quezon and a certain Mark Gaban.

In Bicol, missing were Antonio Tayoto, 40, Alex Azicate, 30, Jason Arcilla, 18, Marlon Tayoto, 32 of Catanduanes; Julian Collada, Lito Oreta, Eddie Oreta, Sisong Dy, Maximo Balayo, 72, Joseph Eusebio, 28, Ivy Lozado, 38, Sonny Villegas, Carlos Villegas of Camarines Sur; Ryan Avila, 35, Enrico Lazado, 30, Catoy Azutea, 32, Joseph Forbosa, Joey Villanueva, Larry Consuelo, Louie Consuelo, Ariel Pascual, Anthony Roldan, Gerry Roldan, Macmac Roldan, Clodualdo Era, Robert Arcilla, JR Bogate, Edwardo Buban, Ricardo Braga, Joel Laureaga, Henry Parpan, a certain “Peter,” “William,” and “Arnold” of Camarines Norte; and Nelson Alvarado, Juhnie Aseron, and Johnny Vargas whose provinces were not listed.

One Jomarie Osal was declared missing in Western Visayas.

Four persons – Alberto Regalado, Gener Agupitan, Jojo Caballero and Sonny Tupig, all from Catanduanes – were reported injured.

Ramos said families of those who died would receive P10,000 burial assistance from the NDCC, while those injured would get P5,000.

Ramos said the giving of cash assistance is in line with NDCC Order No. 13 issued in 1998 to help calamity victims.

Claimants may coordinate with the regional NDCC offices. Those in Central Luzon can contact (045)4551145 or 09173202090; in CALABARZON, (049)8344244, 5317279 or 09175006174; in MIMAROPA, (043)7234248 or 09175223009; and in Bicol, (052)4811656, (052)4815031, 09178548615, 09285053861, and 09189128966.

The NDCC said as of yesterday, a total of 1,757 families or 8,918 persons were still in 51 evacuation centers.

Basyang, the second tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, also cut power lines, causing massive blackouts in several parts of the Luzon, including Metro Manila.  (With Helen Flores, Ric Sapnu, Rafael Viray, Rainier Allan Ronda)