Update: 15 Dead Due to Ineng – OCD-CAR

Baguio City (PNA) — The death toll due to the wrath of tyhpoon “Ineng” and enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has risen to 15.

This was after four bodies were retrieved during the search, rescue and retrieval operations at Sitio Elizabeth, in Taneg, Mankayan, Benguet where landslide ravaged shanties of small scales miners on Saturday.

The number of casualties is expected to increase as a result of the search, rescue and retrieval operations are still on-going at the site of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, 12 others are still missing as reported by the Mankayan Municipal DRRM Council.

Prior to this, the latest report from the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), which was validated by the Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera Regional Office said 13 people perished while eight were injured in landslides in different parts of the region but mostly in Benguet and two individuals drowned in Mountain Province and Abra.

Meanwhile, the CRDRRMC have decided to conduct an aerial assessment of damages wrought by “Ineng” while waiting for the Rapid Damage Assessment and Need Analysis (RDANA) report from the different local DRRM Councils.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Cordillera Regional Office Director and CRDRRMC chair Andrew Uy on Monday said the council will have to hover on affected areas in the region for initial assessment on the damages left by the combined onslaught of the typhoon and habagat.

The inspection will be carried out in coordination with the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group (PAFTOG) at the Loakan Airport as soon as the weather improves.

Uy reiterated his call for a synchronized report for a more efficient consolidation and dissemination of data and for a more effective response from the CRDRRMC.

With the region still expected to experience isolated light to moderate rains and thunderstorms, local disaster authorities call on the public to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, concerned line agencies are doing their share through opening of road networks, retrieval operations and distribution of family packs.

Based on the latest report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), there were 730 families or 13,788 individuals affected with 44 families still in evacuation centers.

The agency’s Cordillera Regional Office also assured that augmentation of family packs is already on-going and requests are expected from the local government units (LGUs).

Proposals for “Food for Work” are already coming in for the rehabilitation projects of several LGUs, Armas said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continuously conducts road clearing operations on 15 national roads which are still closed to vehicular traffic due to landslides and road cuts.

The DPWH has prioritized the clearing operations along Halsema Highway particularly Km16, Tublay, Benguet which connects Baguio City to certain municipalities of Benguet and the whole of Mountain Province as it continues to monitor other road conditions.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is also completing its assessment of damages incurred by the recent calamity to agriculture in the region. (PNA) FFC/BNB/JOJOBLAMARIA/EBP