44 still missing after Tino

As the number of persons missing in Cebu Province following Typhoon Tino remains unchanged at 44, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Dennis Pastor emphasized that only the concerned local government units (LGUs) have the authority to officially terminate ongoing search and retrieval operations.

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He said the PDRRMO's role is primarily to provide augmentation and support, while the command responsibility over search and retrieval lies directly with municipal and city governments.

“Ang search and retrieval ang LGU ang mo-execute and kita sa province mo-augment lang ta sa effort to... Nag-augment ta’g personnel and equipment,” Pastor said.

He explained that each LGU is required to certify if individuals remain missing and are presumed dead once they conclude that no further signs of life can reasonably be expected.

“There is a process under the Management of the Dead and Missing protocol,” Pastor noted.