'Gener' death toll rises to 23

MANILA (2nd Update, 3:14 p.m.) -- The death toll due to Typhoon Gener rose to 23 as of Thursday morning, the disaster-response agency said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the fatalities as:

• Prisca S. Pacyaya, 64, Nugget Hill, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet
• Clinton P. Idio, 15, Copongga, Tublay, Benguet
• Leyan Hayo, 28, Barangay Ipan, Mariveles, Bataan
• Angelito Bicoy, 59, Quezon Province, Bataan
• Efren Salvacion, 41, Obando, Bulacan
• Patrick dela Rosa, 12, Marilao, Bulacan
• Teodoro Flores, 40, San Pablo, Laguna
• Ernest Flores, 60, San Benito, Alaminos, Laguna
• Bernald Buzon, 35, Tanza, Rizal
• Maria Datingginoo, 45, Barangay Gamao, Tingloy, Batangas
• Danieles Hipolito, 32-35, Bacoor, Cavite
• Mariel M. Manzano, 11, Barangay Mahabang Baybay, San Agustin, Romblon
• Edna R. Ibañez, 40, Barangay Cantagda, Cajidiocan, Romblon
• Ronald Necor, 33, Barangay Pangalcagan, Bugasong
• Ricardo Eduque, 37, Nasunugan, Dao, Capiz
• Mary Jane Lima, 24, Barangay E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental
• Madeline Caminade, 48, Arevalo Plaza, Arevalo, Iloilo City
• Emelia Pasugiron, Barangay Kalamtukan, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental
• Andrei Pasugiron, Barangay Kalamtukan, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental
• Renante Cimafranca Jauculan Jr., 10, Dipolog City
• Augusto Campo Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental
• Laga Gani Toni, 38, Kabuntalan, Maguindanao
• Datu Toni Jr., 1, Kabuntalan, Maguindanao

Twenty-one persons were also injured in different incidents due to strong winds and heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Gener. They were identified as:

• Ezekiel Calubaguib, 16, Ifugao
• Rona del Ramos ,16, Ifugao
• Peter John Medina, 21, Cebu City
• Winston Jibbs Calma, 25, Argao, Cebu City
• Edgar Heramis, 35, San Pascual, Cualsi, Antique
• Joseph Ebitner, 40, Zambales
• Eugene Onor, 68, Cavite
• Ednon Bano, 30, Cebu City
• Richard Yap, 12, Greece
• Roldan Caritan, 46, Parañaque
• Felix Soledeo, 69, Cebu City
• Juriel Alcarez, 22, Cebu City
• Joseph Simbajon, 26, Bohol
• Maxel Ignacio, 26, Pinamuk an, New Washington, Aklan
• Marreze David Depillo, 23, Iniban, Negros Oriental
• Edward E. Pantaleon, 16, Barangay Malabor, Tibiao, Antique
• Edmund E. Pantaleon, 19, Barangay Malabor, Tibiao, Antique
• Edgar Vecimo San Pascual, Culasi, Antique
• Mark John Caminade, 21, Arevalo Plaza, Arevalo
• Lea Joy Micolasura, 17, Arevalo Plaza, Arevalo
• Lilibeth Camiros Arevalo Plaza, Arevalo

The NDRRMC also reported 457 villages, 86 municipalities, 22 cities in the 27 provinces of Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Cordillera Administrative Region, and National Capital Region, to have been affected by Typhoon Gener.

Although the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Typhoon Gener is expected to leave the Philippine territory Thursday afternoon, it has maintained its strength, still placing Batanes Group of Islands under public storm signal number 1.

“Malayo na sa atin si Gener at kung magpapatuloy ang lakas nito, inaasahan na natin ito lalabas ng PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) mamayang hapon (Gener is already far from the country. And if the typhoon maintains its strength, it is expected to exit the PAR this afternoon,” Aldczar Aurelio, weather forecaster, said in an interview.

Aurelio said they are still monitoring a low pressure area outside the PAR that has a chance to enter the country.

At 10:00 a.m. Thursday, the eye of Typhoon Gener was located based on satellite and surface data at 370 kilometers (km) north northwest of Basco, Batanes. It packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph

The typhoon is forecast to move north northwest at 11 kph, as it heads towards Taiwan.

Aurelio said Luzon including Metro Manila and Western Visayas will experience occasional rains with winds due to southwest monsoon.

Mindanao and most parts of Visayas will have good weather with partly cloudy and isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides.

Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. (Sunnex/With PNA)