Death toll from bad weather since Jan. 2 reaches 44

Manila, Philippines – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday that the torrential rains and floods from the low-pressure area, shear line, and northeast monsoon that affected many parts of the country since Jan. 2 have claimed 44 lives so far.

In its latest disaster bulletin, the OCD said the affected regions are Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Of the said reported deaths, 20 have been verified.

The OCD recorded the number of injured and missing persons at 11 and eight, respectively, and the affected population at 497,774 families, equivalent to 2,047,222 individuals.

Likewise, damage to agriculture and infrastructure is estimated at PHP1.059 billion and PHP521 million, respectively, and while the number of damaged houses is at 1,888.

So far, the government has provided P114.4 million worth of assistance to affected individuals.