‘Quinta’ death toll hits 20; over 23,000 still homeless

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from tropical depression “Quinta” (international name Wukong) reached 20 as of yesterday afternoon, while damage to property including agriculture amounted to P224.92 million, officials said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said eight new fatalities were reported in the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan and Capiz.

Five of the victims drowned. They were identified as Benedicto Castor, 72; Jezel Superio, 2; Jaymar Egamino, 16; Joel Jimenea, 37, and Osot Sabdane, 40, all of Iloilo province.

Two other fatalities were recorded in Aklan. They were Nilo Icawalo, 54, and Romeo Idorita, 63, who died from heart attack and electrocution, respectively.

In Capiz, Edwin Fariñas, 46, was killed when a tree uprooted by the storm fell on him.

Four others were reported missing. They were identified as Samson Sabdane and Onad Leysa, both from Iloilo; Christian Olivar, 15, of Capiz, and Mario Austria, of Batangas.

Quinta also left three persons injured. They were Noel Egamino, 9, of Iloilo; Rocleto Busa, 12, and Raulio dela Cruz, 24 both from Eastern Samar.

The NDRRMC said a total of 23,337 individuals or 4,290 families remain in 60 evacuation centers.

The storm, which struck on Christmas Day, affected some 241,693 individuals or 50,291 families in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas.

The NDRRMC said the damage to agriculture has reached P146.86 million, while infrastructure damage amounted to P78.06 million.

A total of P2.12-million worth of assistance have been extended to the affected residents by the Social Welfare department and the local governments.

Five areas in Iloilo have been placed under a state of calamity. These were Passi City and the municipalities of Bingawan, Calinog, Janiuay and Dumangas.

Last Friday, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) VI approved a resolution asking President Aquino to declare the three provinces in Western Visayas under a state of calamity.

On the same day, Capiz and Iloilo were placed under a state of calamity due to severe destruction sustained in the storm.

Ma. Aletha Nogra, of the RDRRMC-VI secretariat, said the declaration of a state of calamity further boosted the earlier declaration made by local governments of affected provinces.

Nogra said more help is needed and long-term programs should be implemented as soon as possible for affected communities to recover.

Last Saturday, NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos distributed relief goods to 2,500 families in Iloilo. Yesterday morning, he conducted an aerial survey on the damage left by Quinta in Panay Island. - Jennifer Rendon