Yolanda death toll continues to rise

MANILA, Philippines - The number of fatalities from Super Typhoon Yolanda continues to increase over three weeks after the monster storm ravaged the country.

The death toll from the typhoon has climbed to 5,598, according to a report released yesterday by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

New fatalities were reported in Iloilo and Leyte but all of them remain unidentified.

Yolanda’s death toll has exceeded that of Typhoons Ondoy with 464, Pepeng at 465, and Pablo 1,067, three of the strongest cyclones that hit the Philippines recently.

Yolanda also left 26,136 injured and 1,759 others missing. More than 2.3 million families or 10.96 million people have been affected in nine regions, while around 3.8 million individuals have been displaced.

A total of 219,158 people or 48,239 families are still inside 1,095 evacuation centers while more than 3.59 million persons or 787,140 families are with their relatives and friends.

Yolanda has also damaged P27.84 billion in property and more than one million houses.

Of the figure, damaged infrastructure accounted for P15.56 billion while the amount of damage in agriculture reached P12.28 billion.

The amount of damaged roads, bridges and other structures totaled P12.7 billion, while damaged flood control and health facilities reached P230 million and P310 million, respectively.

The typhoon also damaged school buildings worth P2.3 billion.

Crop damage has been pegged at P5.95 billion, while that of livestock and fisheries reached P2.21 billion and P2.26 billion, respectively.

The amount of damaged irrigation facilities reached P212.7 million, while that of other agricultural infrastructure climbed to P1.65 billion.

State agencies, local governments and private groups have provided P630.98 million worth of relief assistance to affected regions.

Post-typhoon scenario

President Aquino stressed the importance of full coordination between national and local government officials before and after disasters.

In a full Cabinet meeting in Malacañang yesterday, Aquino discussed the rehabilitation and rebuilding plan.

Aquino, who visited Bohol on Thursday to check on the government’s responses to the powerful earthquake that hit the province on Oct. 15, said he was grateful for the residents’ expression of thanks and recognized the efforts of his Cabinet members to bring people’s lives back to normal.

Aside from asking that his Cabinet members be applauded, Aquino also praised Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto for persevering and being consistent in coordinating with the national government.

Aquino said the Boholanons would have a bright Christmas because electricity would be restored by next month.

Power lines, bridges, schools, hospital and other public infrastructure, including national historical structures, were already being repaired, he said.

Aquino said rehabilitation in Bohol was swift because of close coordination between the national and local governments.

Lessons learned

Aquino said a lot of lessons were learned from the earthquake last October and that he was happy to see a sense of normalcy after the disaster.

“You are examples to Yolanda survivors that we can overcome adversity,” he said.

Over P166 million in relief assistance has been poured into Bohol so far. The National Housing Authority also gave survivors P5,000 to P10,000 worth in construction materials for the repair of their damaged homes.

Aquino said there were lessons learned even on building bridges properly.

“Concrete isn’t flexible. When there’s an earthquake, it will give. So maybe it’s better to use metal or other materials – there are designs being studied – so there’s a little flexibility and our bridges can withstand earthquake,” he said.

Aquino promised Bohol residents they would not only rise up but become even more progressive because a new airport would be built to boost tourism.

Aquino presided over the Cabinet meeting to discuss how rehabilitation and rebuilding could be hastened despite the heavy damage caused by Yolanda.

The plan includes shelter and resettlement, infrastructure, livelihood and social services. – With Aurea Calica