Continuous heavy downpour in Region 8 leaves 18 dead, 3 missing, 36 injured

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
February 29, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The continues rains prevailing in Eastern Visayas even as of presstime, has left 18 persons dead, 3 missing, and 36 others injured, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council reported.

As of 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon of February 27, OCD 8 Director Salvador Estudillo, informed that Eastern Samar had the highest death toll with 13 out of the 18 reported. Of the 13 deaths, 2 are reported to be from Borongan City; 1 in Can-Avid; 3 in Dolores; 1 in Jipapad; 3 in Maydolong; 1 in San Julian; and 1 in Taft.

One death was reported in Pinabacdao, Samar; 1 in Culaba, Biliran and 3 in Leyte with 1 each from Babatngon, Dulag and Tacloban City.

Of the 4 persons missing in Eastern Samar, the one missing in Guiuan town was found alive, leaving only three persons missing.

All the 36 persons who have been reported as injured, are all from the various municipalities of Eastern Samar.

The dead, missing and injured persons have been identified except the 17 injured from Maydolong, Eastern Samar, Director Estudillo said.

A total of 66,310 families or 335,235 persons in 723 barangays in 5 provinces of Eastern Visayas, have already been affected by the heavy rains that continue to prevail in the Region.

The province of Eastern Samar accounts for 34,950 families or 173,909 persons in 378 barangays of 23 municipalities. Samar accounts for 12,387 families or 66,276 persons in 144 barangays of 9 municipalities and 2 cities; while Northern Samar accounts for 2,571 families, or 12, 383 persons in 38 barangays of 5 municipalities.

The province of Leyte has a total of 16,402 families affected or 82,607 persons in 154 barangays of 14 municipalities and 1 city; while the province of Biliran accounts for 1 family or 5 persons in 1 barangay of Culaba town.

A total of 722 houses in the Region have been totally destroyed while 3,300 houses have been partially damaged.