Seniang death toll climbs to 71

MANILA, Philippines - Three more persons were reported killed in the widespread flooding caused by heavy rains dumped by Tropical Storm Seniang over Panay Island on New Year’s Eve, increasing the death toll to 71.

Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas director Rosario Cabrera said in a final report submitted yesterday to the office of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that three drowned in the flooding in Capiz despite the preparations.

She identified the three fatalities as Mark Jim Marcelino, 16, of Sitio Nasunogan, Mangoso, Sigma; Mark Jose Salim, 11, of Barangay Poblacion, Sapain; and John Rey Amangcam, 2, of Barangay Ilas Norte, Dao, Capiz.

The NDRRMC earlier reported that the death toll had reached 55. The agency apparently stopped counting the fatalities as it shifted the focus of its disaster reporting on government assistance and relief efforts for displaced families.

“As of Jan. 5, a total of 15,365 families, composed of 59,620 individuals, were preemptively evacuated in preparing for Tropical Storm Seniang…There were 99 houses damaged, 88 of which were partially damaged and 11 were totally damaged,” she added.

Damage to agriculture amounted to at least P102.1 million.