Death toll from heavy rains rises to 43

MANILA, Philippines-  The death toll from heavy rains and floods spawned by the southwest monsoon has risen to 43 on Thursday, reports from disaster management field units showed.

In Central Luzon alone, 19 persons were reported dead mostly due to drowning. Five of the fatalities were from Bataan, seven from Bulacan, six from Pampanga and one from Zambales.

The fatalities in Bataan were identified as Alex Augusto, 35, Richard Catli, 22, Juanito Mangila, 70, and Clarita Olarte who all died of drowning and Marcelino Penaflor who suffered from cardiac arrest.

The six persons who died in Pampanga were Jaygy Cunanan, 20 and Darel Flores, 9, who got electrocuted; Tracy Estrella, 11, Renato Fan, 30, Michael Gatdula, 12 and  Stephanie Marquez, 3, who all died of drowning.

In Bulacan, seven persons also died of drowning namely Roy Cailan, 47, Jomar Laluan, 20, Danilo Lopez, Angelita Quinto, 60, Erjan Roque, 47, one month old-infant Ralyn Cunin and six month-old infant Exier Langres.

A certain Ariem Menes, 19 also died of drowning in Zambales.

The Office of Civil Defense National Capital Region (OCD-NCR) said a total of 17 persons died in Metro Manila.

Nine of the fatalities in Metro Manila died in a landslide in barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City last Tuesday.

The nine fatalities were identified as Jayson Baylon, 16, Jayvee Baylon, 20, Jissele Baylon, 7, Cecilia Baylon, 50,  Jonathan Castulo, 3, three week-old infant Junica Castulo, and Jessica Baylon, Jethro Baylon and Joshua Castulo whose ages remain undetermined.

At least two persons died in Caloocan City namely Irene Cabarubias, 4, who got drowned and an unidentified person who got hit by a fallen electric post.

The OCD-NCR is still verifying reports that a 28-year old male also died because of the floods.

Four others died of drowning in Malabon namely Ely Perez, Diego San Jose, Evelyn Severo and an unidentified man.

A certain Ronald Vasquez, 33, also got drowned in Manila. Authorities also reported the death of a certain  Roel Fabros, who died of drowning in Valenzuela.

The police also reported that an unidentified woman died of drowning in San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

Six fatalities were recorded in Calabarzon.

A certain Marie Pansipane, 7, and her sister Ana Mae Pansipane, whose age remain undetermined, of barrio Ulanggo in Tanauan, Batangas drowned as they were crossing a river.

Police reports state that three persons from Taytay, Rizal died of drowning namely Noel Garde, 14, Christian Garde, 12 and Nicole Costa, 12. An unidentified corpse was also recovered in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of 2.11 million persons or 460,273 families have been affected by the southwest monsoon. 

Of this, 580,079 persons or 119,751 families have been displaced.

NDRRMC said 314,795 persons or 66,577 families are now inside 630 evacuation centers.

The southwest monsoon also left at least four persons injured.

A total of 3,035 houses were damaged in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

The amount of assistance provided by the government, local officials and non-government organizations has reached P126.66 million.