• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) confirmed yesterday that the death toll from Typhoon Tino has increased to 83, with 34 individuals still reported missing across the island.
In Negros Occidental, the provincial government confirmed 62 fatalities, with 14 the confirmed deaths in the town of Moises Padilla making it the most badly hit area.
La Castellana followed with 10 deaths and 18 missing persons. Hinigaran also confirmed 9 deaths.
Other towns with fatalities in the province include Bago, which confirmed 7 deaths and 4 missing persons; Isabela – 6 deaths and 5 missing; Binalbagan 6 death; La Carlota – 3 deaths and 6 missing; San Carlos – 3 deaths and 2 missing; and Murcia with 2 deaths.
Himamaylan City and Pontevedra each confirmed one fatality. Pontevedra officials said that the one recorded casualty was endorsed to La Carlota City.
In Negros Oriental, the death toll in Canlaon City rose to 20, with 5 individuals still missing. Vallehermoso town confirmed one death.
The OCD-NIR stated that all casualties have been confirmed and validated by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno III, however, indicated that some additional reports are still under validation as the number of reported missing are still increasing.
Regarding the recent changes of the number of casualties per locality, Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Chief Irene Bel Ploteña clarified that they are recording the death toll based on where the incident happened.
“We count the death where the incident happened. In this case, if a death occurs in LGU A and the body (identified) is later retrieved at LGU B, the death should be recorded in LGU A, regardless of where the blotter report was filed,” she explained.
On the other hand, power restoration efforts are still ongoing, with only 50 percent of the electricity in Negros Occidental restored as of yesterday, according to Sermeno.
“Only 50 percent of power has been restored. Moises Padilla and La Carlota still do not have sufficient power,” he stressed.
Department of Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco is set to arrive in the province today to represent the Office of the President in visiting the most severely affected cities and municipalities in the province, Sermeno disclosed.*
