By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY – The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) reported that two individuals have died and nine fisherfolk are missing in the region due to the continuous rains caused by the shear line.
In a report on Wednesday, Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD-5 spokesperson, said the victims are a 53-year-old man from Barangay Batang in Irosin, Sorsogon province, who drowned, and an 18-year-old male from Tabaco City, Albay province, who is among the nine reported missing fishermen.
Naz said search and rescue operations are ongoing for the other missing fishers from Pandan, Catanduanes, and Tabaco City.
OCD-5 also reported that six houses were damaged by the heavy rains in San Andres, Catanduanes, and Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon province.
A total of 554 families, or 1,846 individuals, remain displaced.
The 246 families, or 864 individuals, are in evacuation centers; while 308 families, or 982 individuals, are staying with relatives.
More than 200 barangays in 39 local government units have reported flooding.
Naz said 67 local roads and bridges have been affected by the continuous rains, with 32 roads not passable for all types of vehicles, 21 not passable for light vehicles, and seven roads being one-lane or passable only for light vehicles.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has provided PHP13.3 million worth of food and non-food items to the affected communities. (PNA)