DOWN. Aerial shot of the damaged Paliwan Bridge that connects the towns of Laua-an and Bugasong in Antique during an inspection on Sunday (Oct. 30, 2022). Two roads and five other bridges remained impassable in the province, damaged by Tropical Storm Paeng. (Courtesy of Province of Antique Facebook)
ILOILO CITY – The death toll due to Tropical Storm Paeng in Western Visayas climbed to seven, two remained missing, and 218 villages are still flooded, according to the latest report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) on Sunday.
Aklan reported five deaths while Capiz and Iloilo recorded one each, although still subject to validation pending the release of their death certificates.
The fatalities in Aklan are a 28-year-old female and four males aged 57, 52, 40 and 31, all from Barangay Loctuga in Libacao.
They died either due to drowning or suffocation in mud.
The casualty from Capiz was a man, 28, from Barangay San Roque, Tapaz while in Iloilo, a woman, 25, from Barangay Guibongon Bayunan in San Joaquin also died after being swept by floodwaters.
“Actually, there were more than 10 (in Antique) as per reports from the police, but we could not yet confirm because there is no attachment to the report. But the validation is ongoing and we always emphasize during cluster meetings for the police to fast-track the release of reports,” said Cindy Ferrer, RDRRMC spokesperson.
Aside from deaths, two other persons were confirmed missing -- a woman, 29, from Barangay Alimono in Passi City, Iloilo and a man, 60, from Libacao.
Parts of Aklan and Antique were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 on Saturday.
Flooding
“So far, we still have 218 flooded villages, mostly from Capiz with 149. Usually, it takes three days for flooding in Capiz to subside as per experiences in the past three years,” Ferrer said.
A total of 23 rain-induced landslides were also recorded -- 14 in Antique, four in Negros Occidental, three in Aklan, and one each in Capiz and Guimaras.
With the lifting of the wind signal, Ferrer said all boat trips have resumed but there were flight cancellations to and from Manila.
She urged the public to avoid necessary travels, especially going to Antique where two roads and six bridges are still impassable.
The local police are on standby at Paliwan Bridge that connects the towns of Laua-an and Bugasong after it collapsed on Friday morning.
Agri losses
Meanwhile, the initial report of the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas said 4,550.91 hectares of rice crops in various stages of development were damaged in Iloilo and Negros Occidental provinces.
A total of 195.95 hectares have no more chances of recovery and 4,354.96 hectares are partially damaged.
Production loss was pegged at 3,136. 5 metric tons valued at PHP70.316 million and affecting 2,834 farmers.
Only 10 local government units (LGUs) from Negros Occidental have submitted their reports so far, showing 963 farmers were affected, covering 1,052 hectares with production losses at PHP23.74 million.
In Iloilo, six LGUs reported that 1,871 farmers covering some 3,498.17 hectares were affected and losses were initially at PHP46.51 million.
All reports will be subjected to validation.
Capiz, Aklan and Antique LGUs have yet to submit their reports. (PNA)
