Manila: The number of reported fatalities due to the combined effects of the southwest monsoon (known locally as "habagat") and tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong in recent days has increased to 40 as of Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in its latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated that only four of the total reported fatalities have been validated so far, all occurring in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Of the 36 still undergoing validation, 20 are from Region 5 (Bicol Region), eight from Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), two from Region 3 (Central Luzon), another two from Region 7 (Central Visayas), and one each in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), Mimaropa, Region 6 (Western Visayas), and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas).
Meanwhile, there are reports of 41 injured individuals and 15 persons missing, the majority of whom are still undergoing validation, as per the NDRRMC. The latest tally on affected families stands at 1,178,530, accounting for 4,460,369 persons residing in 9,256 barangays across 16 regions nationwide.
Damaged houses as of Thursday were estimated at 121,108, with 99,874 classified as "partially damaged" and 21,234 as "totally damaged." The severe weather has also resulted in PHP1,962,907,920 worth of damage to agriculture and PHP1,306,440,914 in infrastructure.
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has urged police units to expedite the validation of casualties related to Severe Tropical Storm Opong. In a statement on Wednesday, Nartatez mentioned that his order aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and under the guidance of Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure accuracy in disaster response operations.
"The PNP is involved in documenting recoveries on the ground and immediately relaying validated information to local disaster response councils. We coordinate with the Office of Civil Defense and the NDRRMC to ensure that casualty reports are verified and cross-checked against missing persons records before they are made official," he stated.
