Iloilo death toll climbs to 189; 20 still missing

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The death toll in Iloilo rose to 189 while 20 persons were still missing based on the report of the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) as of Thursday morning.

Of these casualties, 86 were recorded in Estancia town, followed by Carles with 38, Batad (11); Concepcion (nine), Passi City and San Dionisio (eight each), Balasan (seven), Dingle (six), Sara (four), Tubungan, Zarraga, Duenas and San Enrique (two each) and Calinog, Lambunao, Lemery and Barotac Nuevo (one each).

The missing persons were in the towns of Estancia with nine, Concepcion (six), Ajuy (three) and San Miguel and San Dionisio (one each).

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. assured families of casualties that burial assistance will be given to them as soon as the relief operation is finished. He also assured homeless families of financial aid to help them rebuild their houses, a total of 136,575 of which were damaged by typhoon Yolanda.

The assistance however, will depend on the availability of funds, said Defensor, adding that the Iloilo provincial government has P21 million quick response fund available from the PDRRMC, which is equivalent to five percent of the province's annual budget.

The governor said the province has already released almost P8 million from its saving fund to purchase canned goods and sacks of rice for the relief operation apart from the donations from 122 local donors.

As of Thursday, an additional P 2 million was released by the provincial government to purchase additional goods, while Canada had also sent goods from nothern Iloilo, Defensor announced. Several Canadian officials will also conduct an aerial survey of the typhoon-hit areas in Iloilo in preparation for more aid the country will extend to the province.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education-Region 6 said Yolanda had damaged 35 public schools in Iloilo or a total of 2,297 classrooms.

Jerry Bionat, director of Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said 879 classrooms were used as evacuation centers despite the damages. He added regular classes also resumed in some damaged schools while pupils whose classrooms were destroyed sought temporary shelter to other vacant rooms and spaces at their school compound.

Bionat said at least P471 million will be needed for the rehabilitation of the damaged schools. He further said that 607 DepEd personnel. (FREEMAN)