Death toll from Luzon flood climbs to 11

MANILA (3rd Update, 12:49 p.m.) –- The state disaster-response agency reported that the death toll from heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon rose to 11 as of Wednesday morning.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the latest fatalities as Darel Flores, 9, of Barangay Apalit in Floridablanca, Pampanga, who was electrocuted; and Ariem Menes, 19, of Barangay Poblacion in Sta. Cruz, Zambales, due to drowning.

Of the 11 fatalities, the NDRRMC said nine were buried in a landslide that hit their house in Lower Bayanihan, Barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City. They were identified as Jethro Baylon, Jessica Baylon, Jayvee Baylon, Cecilia Baylon, Jayson Baylon, Joshua Castulo, Jezelle Joy Baylon, Jonica Castulo and Jonathan Castulo.

According to NDRRMC, four were injured in the landslide.

The NDRRMC also reported that as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, 267,850 families or 1,230,813 persons were reeling from the rains in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4-A (Calabarzon) and Region 4-B (Mimaropa).

As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, 90 municipalities/cities in Regions 1, 3, 4-A and NCR were flooded due to heavy rains, the agency said.

It said that 126 roads remained not passable to all/light vehicles in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 6 (Western Visayas), Cordillera Administrative Region, and NCR due to flooding. No damage to bridges was reported.

The NDRRMC also said a total amount of P12,924,246.80 worth of relief assistance was provided to the affected families. The local government units provided P6,043,836.90; non-government organizations provided P955,400; while the Department of Social Welfare and Development allocated P5,925,009.90.

While suspension of classes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Zambales still takes effect Wednesday, Malacañang announced that work in government and private offices based in Metro Manila and nearby areas affected by heavy rains and massive flooding resumes today.

"On the basis of the best available information at the present time, and the recommendation and the forecast of Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), the Office of the President will not issue a Memorandum Circular suspending work for government or the private sector today, August 8," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press statement.

But Lacierda said those agencies that have earlier declared work suspension will not be covered by the resumption.

"The declarations of some national agencies, such as the Commission on Audit, suspending work today, and announcements made by local governments concerning the suspension of work and classes in their jurisdictions, however, remain in force," he said.

The Supreme Court also decided not to allow its employees to report to work based on a directive by Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio.

The Department of Justice likewise cancelled work today, said Undersecretary Francisco Baraan.

Employees working at the Department of Education's main office in Pasig City were asked to go home Wednesday morning.

"Effective 11:00 a.m., work in the Department of Education Central Office is suspended today, 8 August 2012. All personnel may opt to go home unless they have important matters to attend to in the office," Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a memorandum.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines called on the faithful Tuesday to extend their help to the flood victims.

In a statement, the CBCP–National Secretariat for Social Action (Nassa) and Caritas Philippines said they are open to accepting donations on behalf of the victims.

"For those who may wish to channel their donation to Nassa, you may send your check payable to CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation Inc.," Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the two agencies, said.

Checks can be deposited to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) in the account number 4951-0071-08.

Gariguez said they also authorized the use of the Alay Kapwa Fund of the Catholic Church to augment the emergency relief operations of different dioceses.

"We are issuing our appeal to the diocesan network, for the dioceses to contribute additional funds to provide the necessary relief goods and immediate needs of the calamity victims," he said.

The Philippine Red Cross also said its bank accounts are open to accept donations.

"The PRC welcomes donations in cash for flood-affected families," PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said.

Donations, she said, may be deposited to Banco De Oro (Peso: 00-453-0018647/Dollar: 10-453-0039482); Metrobank (Peso: 151-3-041631228/Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2); Philippine National Bank (Peso: 3752 8350 0034/Dollar: 3752 8350 0042); and Unionbank of the Philippines (Peso: 1015 4000 0201/Dollar: 1315 4000 0090).

Pang said donations would be timely since they are now preparing more relief aid for immediate distribution to affected families.

National carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) ordered its provincial stations to accept relief goods for free airlift to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, where some areas have been submerged in floodwater because of heavy monsoon rains.
 
Interested charitable or non-profit organizations may email PAL Foundation executive director Menchu Sarmiento at menchu_sarmiento@pal.com.ph to avail themselves of the free service.

The email should contain the packing list of high-value relief items, number, sizes and weight in kilos of the boxes, and their counterpart NGO or consignee's complete contact details.

Items like rice, instant noodles, sardines, and used clothing, which are readily available in the vicinity of calamity-stricken areas, are not considered high-value relief goods and therefore ineligible for PAL's humanitarian cargo grant.

Food products originating from the provinces like bananas from Davao or fish from General Santos City will be considered. Surplus medical supplies of Provincial Governments will also be prioritized.

Donations of brand new personal care items, women's hygiene products, baby diapers, underwear and the like are also considered high-value but only if brand new. Water purifying tablets, working flashlights, battery-operated radios and the like are also most welcome, PAL said. (Virgil Lopez/Jill Beltran/HDT/PNA/Sunnex)