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By APD writer Melo M. Acuna
MANILA, Jan.4 (APD) – The Philippine government through its National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 122 dead, 28 still missing and 60 others injured from landslides, drowning and other natural disaster-related incidents as of midday Thursday.
What used to be rice fields in Baaoflowed from Albay Province town is nowhere to be seen as floodwaters triggered by tropical depression "Usman" flowed from nearby Albay Province and other nearby areas. (Melo M. Acuna)
The casualties have been reported in Regions IV-B or MIMAROPA, V -Bicol and VIII - Eastern Visayas.
Nearly 700 homes were totally damaged while 2,198 other houses were partially destroyed either by landslides caused by heavy rainfall from December 24 to 31.
In Sangay town in Camarines Sur, Mayor Evelyn Fuentebella, in an interview with a Manila-based television station, said the government is seriously considering relocating residents from a landslide village to avert disasters.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to visit badly-hit Bicol Region tomorrow.
Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said President Duterte wants to see personally the gravity of the destruction Tropical Depression “Usman” brought to the already impoverished region.
The NDRRMC reported damage to crops and livestock at over P 528 million.
However, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol told media practitioners in Naga City earlier today that damage to rice crops in Camarines Sur alone may amount to P 1 billion as floods ravaged croplands in three districts of the province.
Imported rice is yet to be unloaded in Tabaco City port in Albay District as inclement weather has prevented their regular port activities.
Floodwaters in Albay province flow to Camarines Sur with the Fifth Congressional District as “catch basin” before it flows to the Bicol River in Naga City.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
