Paeng Aftermath: Regions Declare State of Calamity, Cebu Hit with Landslide

As Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name Nalgae) drifted away from the country, its wrath left the country with 121 deaths, over PHP1 billion in damage to agriculture, and over PHP700 million in damage to infrastructure.

According to the latest situation report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday morning, November 2, the reported fatalities from Severe Tropical Storm Paeng have now increased to 121.

This is up from the reported 112 fatalities on Tuesday evening, November 1.

Of the 121 fatalities, 92 deaths were confirmed, while 29 are still to be validated.

Over half of the fatalities caused by Paeng were from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), while one-quarter of the reported deaths came from the Western Visayas region.

Apart from the 121 fatalities, 103 individuals also sustained injuries, while 36 individuals are still missing.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared a state of calamities in four regions that were ravaged by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

Marcos Jr. signed a proclamation declaring a state of calamity in the regions of Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and the BARMM for six months as 1.4 million individuals were “adversely” affected by Paeng.

Meanwhile, the city of Muntinlupa also declared a state of calamity, Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced on Wednesday.

The declaration of the state of calamity will allow local governments to utilize calamity funds to be used for rescue and retrieval operations, and the rehabilitation of the regions.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC estimated PHP1.3 billion in damage to agriculture and over PHP760 million in damage to infrastructure caused by Paeng.

Moreover, NDRRMC said that 6,542 houses were damaged.

Of the 6,542 houses, 5,035 houses were partially damaged and 1,507 totally damaged.

In Cebu, a landslide hit six houses in Sitio Garahe in Barangay Busay, Cebu City Saturday afternoon.

No casualties were reported as local officials said that the houses were already abandoned when the landslide occurred as the families in the area were already evacuated two weeks ago due to another landslide that hit the nearby area recently.

Families affected by Paeng now total 2,418,249 people, with 190,525 still in different evacuation centers around the country. (GFB)