Three more bodies were retrieved by search and rescue (SAR) personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from a capsized fishing boat off Santa Ana, Cagayan amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Nando”, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The recovery of more cadavers from the ill-fated fishing boat “Jobhenz” raised the death toll to four, as one body was initially recovered when it capsized after being battered by big waves and strong winds while anchored at the coastal waters of Barangay San Vicente on Sept. 23, said PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab.

Three fishermen remained missing while six others were rescued.

“Our search and rescue (SAR) operations are ongoing now despite the bad weather condition in the area,” Cayabyab said.

She said the boat was supposed to take shelter at an anchorage area in anticipation of Nando’s wrath.

“However, when the 13-member crew was securing their fishnet, they were suddenly hit by big waves and strong winds. It caused the fishing banca to tilt and eventually capsize. When it happened, four crew members were able to swim to a nearby boat because they were already at the anchorage area,” she narrated.

Others, unfortunately, were trapped in the engine room of the vessel where they drowned.

While many areas are still reeling from the impact of Nando, a new threat is being observed as Tropical Storm “Opong” approaches Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon. It was last located at 815 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao at 11 a.m.

“The PCG remains on red alert status, and sea travel is still suspended in the Northeastern and Northwestern Luzon. Our deployable response groups also remain activated 24/7, and the weather conditions are still unfavorable,” Cayabyab said.

“We advise our coastal communities, particularly our fishermen, not to set sail, especially if they believe their vessels cannot withstand the conditions. They are reminded to always monitor the news before leaving their homes and to consistently follow the official advisories of local authorities,” she added.

Not all the fatalities from the capsizing incident in Santa Ana, Cagayan were reflected in the tally of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

As of Wednesday, the NDRRMC reported that four deaths were being validated due to the combined effects of Nando, Tropical Cyclone “Mirasol”, and southwest monsoon (habagat). Two deaths were in Central Luzon (Region 3), one in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and one in Cagayan Valley (Region 2).

The lone fatality in Region 2 was the initial body recovered by the PCG from the capsized Jobhenz. Meanwhile, the single fatality recorded in CAR was a 74-year-old man who was pinned to death inside his vehicle following a massive landslide that struck Sitio Begis, Brgy. Poblacion along Marcos Highway in Tuba, Benguet on Sept. 22.

Two other NDRRMC fatalities were caused by Mirasol and habagat, said the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Meanwhile, the number of affected families due to Nando, Mirasol, and habagat has increased to 156,196, comprised of 692,707 individuals.

They were from Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon (Region 3), National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

More than 38,000 individuals were displaced, including 24,000 who were temporarily sheltered in 516 evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC said the initial damage to agriculture was estimated at P14.85 million in Regions 1 and 6. This is expected to further increase as more regions report the extent of damage after a rapid damage and needs analysis (RDANA).

Regional DRRM offices have yet to submit estimated damage to infrastructure. But 128 houses were either partially damaged or totally destroyed due to the bad weather in the affected regions.

The NDRRMC said 166 road sections and 34 bridges were affected by flooding and landslide in Regions 1, 2, CAR, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5.

Power supply in 82 cities and municipalities in Regions 1, 2, CAR, 4A and 4B were also cut and as of writing, 45 areas were still without electricity.

Water supply in five cities and municipalities in Regions 1 and 4A were also affected, three of which were still not restored.

Four cities and municipalities in Regions 1 and 4B also experienced communication line disruptions, three of which have yet to be fixed.