Carina, monsoon death toll increases to 36

MANILA, Philippines — The number of people who died from the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon has increased to 36 as of yesterday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The NDRRMC said that of the 36 reported deaths, 14 have been verified while the rest are still being validated.

It said six people were reported injured and three others remain missing.

Most of the fatalities were recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR) with 15 followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 10 and Zamboanga peninsula with four.

Two fatalities each were recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Central Luzon.

Ilocos and Davao regions as well as Northern Mindanao had one casualty each.

4.6 million displaced

The combined strength of Carina and the monsoon displaced up to 4.6 million people composed of 1.2 million families nationwide.

Of the displaced families, 38,292 composed of 152,800 people are staying in 848 evacuation centers.

The government has also assisted 641,944 more people or 134,235 families who are not in evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC said up to 4,163 people or 1,361 families were pre-emptively evacuated.

P1.6 billion infrastructure damage

The amount of damage caused by the bad weather to infrastructure has reached more than P1.6 billion, the NDRRMC said.

The damage was reported in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), BARMM and the Cordilleras. 

Up to 356 road sections, two bridges and 1,598 houses were destroyed by floodwaters and landslides.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the Department of Agriculture has yet to report the amount of damage to farm produce, livestock and fishery.

P200 million aid released

Up to P200 million in “humanitarian aid” has been released to assist people affected by the calamities, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the release of the funds reflected the agency’s commitment to help beneficiaries of government resources. 

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier ordered the agency’s disaster response and management group as well as its national resource and logistics management bureau to continue helping the victims until they fully recover from the effects of the calamities.

The amount was used for the distribution of relief goods, including food and non-food items as well as financial assistance, to typhoon victims. — Pia Lee-Brago, Delon Porcalla, Jun Elias, Romina Cabrera