3 dead as Dante moves toward Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Dante left three people dead after causing landslides and flooding in Davao and Soccsksargen regions yesterday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The casualties in Davao region included a one-year-old boy from Panoraon, Davao del Oro who suffocated from mud and debris, and a 71-year-old man who drowned in a flash flood in Malalag, Davao del Sur. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old girl also died in Norala, South Cotabato.

The NDRRMC said that in Regions XI and XII, 566 families in 16 barangays were directly affected, prompting them to seek temporary shelter in 10 evacuation centers.

According to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Operation Center, agricultural damage currently stands at P14.6 million.

This covers 477 affected farmers or 616 hectares of agricultural areas in Soccsksargen and Caraga regions, with production losses in rice and corn pegged at 500 metric tons (MT) valued at P13.1 million and P1.45 million, respectively.

The DA gave assurance on the availability of a quick response fund (QRF) to help farmers and fishermen affected by the typhoon, adding that rice, corn and other vegetable seeds are also available, as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs.

In response, Malacañang mobilized the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned agencies to aid those affected by Dante (international name Choi-wan).

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said DSWD allotted a P1.105-billion standby fund, including P113 million worth of food packs for 222,382 families, as well as P766 million for other food and non-food relief items.

The Philippine Coast Guard said 3,007 passengers, drivers and cargo helpers were left stranded as authorities suspended port operations in the storm-hit areas of Southern Tagalog as well as Eastern and Central Visayas due to rough seas.

At the Manila International Airport, six domestic flights were canceled yesterday due to bad weather.

In Pangasinan, Gov. Amado Espino III ordered mayors and barangay captains to prepare for Dante, advising officials to screen and isolate evacuees, practice minimum health standards in evacuation centers and consider pre-emptive evacuation.

Advisory

Storm Dante maintained its strength as it slammed Luzon yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Signal No. 2 was raised over the northern and central portion of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Islands, Batangas, Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac and Pangasinan.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Metro Manila, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, the rest of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, La Union and Antique.

As of 4 p.m., the center of the storm was spotted off Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness up to 90 kph while moving west-northwest at 15 kph.

Dante, the fourth tropical cyclone this year, made six landfalls: in Sulat, Eastern Samar, followed by Cataingan and Balud in Masbate, Romblon and San Agustin in Romblon province and Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

It is expected to weaken into a tropical depression as it passes through the rugged terrain of mainland Luzon between last night and this morning, before weakening into a low-pressure area by Saturday. – Catherine Talavera, Christina Mendez, Rainier Allan Ronda, Helen Flores, Robertzon Ramirez, Rudy Santos, Cesar Ramirez, Eva Visperas