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Philippines

Philippines: Update - Typhoon "Cosme" casualties reach 35

By Henry S. Lagasca

San Fernando City, La Union (21 May) -- The rising number of casualties in the Ilocos region in the wake of killer typhoon "Cosme" onslaught now reach 35 as relief and rehabilitation efforts are now focused in Pangasinan having a total of 28 persons perished from what the Pangasinenses described as "the worst typhoon disaster ever to hit Pangasinan in years."

La Union's count on its death toll is now seven following the recovery of bodies of missing persons.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) reported that search and rescue teams of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) are still undertaking operations while technical people from power utilities have been working double time to restore water, power and telecommunications services in the province which have been cut-off since May 17.

The list of persons in Pangasinan who perished from the onslaught of Typhoon "Cosme" include Luigi Rosario, Pablo Cruz, Sr, Nicadio Ferrer, Pepe Molano and Cristituto Fernandez, all from Lingayen; Lourdes Castro Soriano, Cesario Soriano Basi, both from Bugallon; Remedios Paulo, Miguel Poserio, Randyl Poserio, and Rodyl Poserio, all from Bonuan, Dagupan City; Alberto Sacatropiz, Edwin Reyes and Lilia Sumila, all from Sta. Barbara; Elpidio Maoile, Francisco Cuanan and Jesus Caric, allfrom Infanta, Marcos Quinto and Jessa Dacasin of Urdaneta City; Jose de Guzman, Pacita Aquino and Rogelio Austria, all from San Carlos City; Virginia Garcia of Aguilar; Dominador Sison of Mangatarem; George Pascua of San Fabian; Carlito Maganas of Mangaldan; Fidel Kulanag and Emerito Bustato, both from Sual.

La Union casualties were identified as Pepito Estacio of Sto. Tomas; Domingo Ubongen, Juanita Iserio, Leopoldo Labasan and Maximillano Sibayan, all from Rosario; Rolando Alambra of Consolacion, Agoo and Warlito Abat of San Juan, la Union.

La Union has listed 1,730 totally damaged houses and 12,738 partially while Pangasinan reported 19,538 and 40,902 totally and partially damaged houses, respectively.

Infrastructure damage in the region totaled P228.2 million while damaged agricultural production has reach P1.8 billion.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is still assessing incoming field reports on damaged crops, fruit trees, fisheries and livestock brought about by the typhoon. Partial estimates of the cost of damaged in agricultural production in the region now reach P2 billion.

Teams from the Water and Air Search and Rescue (WASAR) and the Naval Forces Northern Luzon are conducting evacuation operations in flooded barangays in the municipalities of Sta. Barbara and Calasiao in Pangasinan where a total of 16 barangays in these areas remains underwater.

Elements of the Philippine National Police, local disaster councils and the public works and highways department are still conducting clearing operations in areas where uprooted big trees are hampering the free flow of vehicular traffic.

PNRC and DSWD field units are coordinating with the RDCC for the extension of relief food assistance to the victims of the typhoon.

The RDCC said all major roads and highways going to and from Manila are passable and reported that there are no stranded passengers in these areas (PIA Region 1)