By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The reported death toll in Masbate province due to Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) has risen to 20, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) said Friday.
Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson for OCD-5, said in addition to the fatalities, two individuals were also reported missing and 23 others were injured.
“The victims come from 13 local government units in Masbate,” Naz said in an interview.
Broken down, the OCD-5 said one fatality was reported each in Masbate City, Monreal, Batuan, Balud, Cawayan, Mandaon and Mobo; two each in Cataingan, Uson, Aroroy, Esperanza and Baleno; and three in Placer.
Of the reported fatalities and missing persons, 13 were male and nine were female, he added.
“All reported casualties are subject to verification by the Management of the Dead and Missing Cluster,” Naz said.
“We hope that this number will not increase.”
As of Friday noon, 5,784 affected families equivalent to 26,092 individuals are taking temporary shelter in 243 evacuation centers while 2,104 families, or 5,481 individuals, are staying with their relatives.
Naz said damage to agriculture and infrastructure have so far amounted to PHP83 million.
According to the Masbate Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, 93,406 houses have been damaged as a result of Opong. Of these, 73,535 sustained partial damage while 19,871 were totally destroyed.
The Department of Public Works and Highways said all national roads and bridges in the storm-hit province are now passable.
In terms of assistance, various agencies have provided more than PHP72 million worth of food and non-food items to the victims. (PNA)
