Agaton death toll reaches 172

MANILA, Philippines — The number of confirmed deaths from the onslaught of Tropical Depression Agaton further rose to 172 yesterday, 155 of which were from Eastern Visayas.

Latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 110 persons remained missing yesterday.

Most of the missing persons in the Eastern Visayas were believed to be victims of landslides, which buried entire villages in Leyte.

The NDRRMC said 58,492 families or a total of 207,572 individuals remain housed in 909 different evacuation centers from Regions 5, 6, 7 8, 10 11, 12, Caraga, and the BARMM.

Agaton, which caused heavy rains and unleashed massive flooding and landslides last week despite being categorized as a weak typhoon, was the first to enter the country this year.

Sixteen affected cities and municipalities have placed their localities under state of calamity because of the extent of deaths, injuries and damages.

The NDRRMC said more than P50.4 million worth of both food and non-food assistance had so far been given to Agaton victims in all affected areas.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called on all Filipinos yesterday to celebrate Easter Sunday by helping victims of Agaton in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Let me also take this opportunity to call on everyone to lift up those who need our help, especially as many of our kababayan have been affected by the recent onslaught of Tropical Storm Agaton in Visayas and Mindanao,” he said in his message.

“May we all be stewards of grace and may the resurrection of Jesus Christ inspire us to look forward to a peaceful and better tomorrow,” Lorenzana added.

He said the Department of National Defense “joins our brothers and sisters of the Christian faith in the observance of this year’s Easter Sunday.”

Lorenzana said Christendom’s celebration of the resurrection of Jesus “is a reminder that hope springs eternal despite the sorrow and turmoil that we go through in life.”

“As John 11:25 reads, ‘Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.’”

“With courage and faith, we can overcome the greatest of trials and prepare ourselves for immeasurable blessings and salvation,” Lorenzana said.