‘Bising’ death toll climbs

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) disclosed on Wednesday that the fatalities brought about by typhoon “Bising” rose to three as the storm continues its onslaught in different regions in the country.

The third fatality was identified as 19-year-old Dean Shenly Mamad, who died after a coconut tree fell on a house in Barangay Sacub, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, while two other females, identified as Dominique Mamad, 17, and Deniah Chillswane Mosong, 18, were injured in the same incident.

According to the Office of Civil

Defense (OCD)-Southern Mindanao, the incident happened on 18 April.

Meantime, fiver others — identified as Fernando Alejandro Jr., Cecilia Hingpit, Zhandrick Sumabat, Jannet Besinan and Diola Cabrera — were injured when a large tree collapsed on a pool of a spring resort at Barangay Sinawilan in Matanao town.

Both incidents are considered as effects of strong winds brought by typhoon “Bising,” the regional OCD unit said.

The NDRRMC has also included Southern Mindanao in the list of regions that experienced typhoon effects and casualties

A total of 68 incidents directly affecting people, including 62 floodings, four incidents of fallen trees, one capsized boat, and one fire, have been recorded so far, while more than P56.48 million worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure has also been recorded. Also damaged were at least 938 houses, while 84 were destroyed.

The disaster agency noted that the typhoon affected at least 229,829 persons in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga and of the number, 15,813 are still taking shelter at evacuation centers.

As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the center of Bising was located 360 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

Bising maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 215 kph, while moving northwestward at a speed of 10 kph, it added.

Due to the typhoon, a total of 169,072 people or 44,397 families were preemptively evacuated from their homes in Cagayan, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SBG Bacoor fire victims get needed assistance Fire victims were lent a helping hand by the Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go last Saturday as it partnered with the Bacoor City government and several national agencies to provide immediate assistance to the affected residents. At Sitio Tibag in Barangay Panapaan 3, the senator’s team provided aid to a total of 2,700 residents or 326 beneficiary households and distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields. Selected beneficiaries also received new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles. Some recipients were likewise provided tablets for their children’s educational needs.The National Housing Authority, on the other hand, also conducted an assessment and committed to provide housing assistance to qualified beneficiaries while the Department of Trade and Industry will also extend livelihood assistance to residents seeking to start or grow their own small businesses.