OCD fast-tracks Masbate rehab; death toll hits 27

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is expediting rehabilitation efforts in Masbate after severe tropical storm "Opong" (international name "Bualoi) caused extensive damage, particularly in Masbate City.

- MARTIN SADONGDONG

A report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that as of Monday, Sept. 29, the number of affected individuals due to Opong, super typhoon "Nando," tropical depression "Marisol," and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) has risen to 3.4 million across 16 regions.

Of this, 190,000 individuals were displaced, more than half of which were being served inside 1,600 evacuation centers.

The death toll further increased to 27 while 16 persons remained missing and 33 were injured.

Damage to agriculture was estimated at P1.010 billion while infrastructure loss was pegged at P979 million.

OCD-Bicol Director Claudio Yucot said Masbate bore the brunt of the storm.