In this aerial photo of Mangsee Island, Balabac, taken by Annze Anza of the Palawan government on December 26, Tropical Storm Vinta-damaged houses can be seen, as well as motor bancas and other debris washed ashore by storm surges.
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- All the eight municipalities in southern Palawan were placed under state of calamity on Wednesday afternoon by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the release of Quick Response Funds (QRF) amounting to PHP35 million.
The state of calamity declaration covers the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Brooke’s Point, Sofronio Española, Rizal, Quezon, Bataraza, and Balabac, where Mangsee is located.
Mangsee Island is the hardest hit barangay by Tropical Storm Vinta.
Board Member Leoncio Ola said they convened in a special session to approve the declaration that in turn would authorize Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) chairman and Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez to utilize the QRF to help the victims of tropical storms Vinta and Urduja.
The declaration came as the number of fatalities and missing persons continue to rise following the arrival of disaster response teams on Mangsee Island Wednesday afternoon.
To date, death toll due to “Vinta” has climbed to around 30 but the number is still being confirmed, said Provincial Information Office (PIO) chief Gil Acosta Jr.
On Tuesday, 8 people were reported killed by the storm.
“The official, verified, and documented casualty count is 11 and 27 missing, per PDRRMO (Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office). However, our sources from the ground, Rescue 165 and other line agencies, are saying casualty numbers going up more or less 22-30 dead, still verifying (the) actual numbers because some were already buried during the first few days of tragedy and were not documented. Our people are doing documentation still plus search and rescue,” Acosta said.
The 11 deaths had been identified by the PDRRMO as Meradz Kanaing, MuzaSahi, and Aliya Abdulmutti, who were in their teens; Daddy Timiong, eight-month old Baby Kasim, Romeo Tarsina, Felix Polingtan, and Nonoh Fraginal.
Three other bodies had been recovered but still unidentified, based on its record.
Richchristopher Magbanua, head of Rescue 165, who flew to Mangsee on Tuesday, stated that what happened to Mangsee was sad as their team immediately proceeded to retrieve several bodies seen floating in the waters off the island barangay.
Meanwhile, the provincial government also launched Wednesday the “Operation Tabang Casimanua” to help the residents of Mangsee. The Cuyunon words mean “to provide help to people in the community.”
The relief project hopes to collect used clothes, food (preferred are those easy to cook like noodles, canned goods, energy bars), water, undergarments, and even spare kitchen utensils from kind-hearted Palaweños. (PNA)
Featured photo courtesy of Annze Anna
