Typhoon “Tino” left a deadly trail across the Visayas region with at least 91 fatalities reported, most of them from Cebu, as government agencies rushed to deliver relief aid, restore power, and clear roads amid ongoing floods and isolation in hard-hit areas, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported Wednesday, Nov. 5.

OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, civil defense deputy administrator for administration, said the bulk of the casualties, 49 of the 91 recorded deaths, were from Region 7, particularly Cebu province, where widespread flooding and landslides struck communities overnight.

In Negros Island Region (NIR), one person died from fallen debris and three others from drowning. In Agusan del Sur, six Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel died in a helicopter crash while they were on a Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis (RDANA) flight.

Two persons died in Leyte due to a fallen tree and flooding, while one death each was logged in Bohol and Capiz and the victims were struck by fallen trees. The remaining 28 fatalities "are still being determined," according to the OCD.

A total of 75 persons were missing: 13 in Cebu, and 62 in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Ten people were injured in Region 7 and Eastern Visayas (Region 8) caused by fallen debris, flooding, and others.

The death toll is feared to further rise as an unofficial tally released by the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) recorded 111 deaths in Cebu province alone as of 7:20 p.m.

“Relief and response operations are ongoing. Our response cluster is fully activated, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH) for medical needs while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are taking charge of search, rescue, and retrieval efforts,” Alejandro said in a radio interview.

He added that rapid damage and needs assessments were ongoing, especially in Palawan and parts of Central Visayas, where the storm’s impact remained severe.

While still reeling from the impact of Tino, the OCD said it has started preparing for another tropical depression monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), eastern portion of the country, which could strengthen into a super typhoon this weekend.

“Rest assured, all agencies are on full alert. We ask everyone to remain vigilant, cooperate with authorities, and heed warnings for your safety,” Alejandro said.

Meanwhile, Tino affected 706,549 individuals or 203,595 families across seven regions, including Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Negros Island Region (NIR), Region 7, Region 8, and Caraga (Region 13), based on the record of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

A total of 348,554 individuals were staying in nearly 3,894 evacuation centers while another 88,357 individuals were sheltering with relatives or friends. There were 215,190 residents preemptively evacuated before the typhoon’s landfall.

The storm damaged 21 roads and five bridges in Regions 4B, 6, 7, and 13; with 15 still impassable due to flooding and debris. Power interruptions were also reported in 61 cities and towns in Regions 5, 6, 7 and 13 although restoration efforts were underway, particularly in Cebu and Southern Leyte.

“The Department of Energy has activated Task Force Kapatid to fast-track power restoration in affected areas,” Alejandro said.

The entire province of Cebu, composed of 53 cities and municipalities, was placed under a state of calamity due to the extent of damage.

According to the NDRRMC, the government has so far provided P31.16 million worth of assistance to affected families, with the DSWD leading the effort.

Out of 69,836 families identified as requiring aid, 48,529 have already received assistance, representing nearly 70 percent coverage.

“DSWD continues to augment LGU resources with family food packs and non-food items. OCD is also providing shelter materials,” Alejandro noted.

Clearing operations were ongoing with 31 heavy assets and 144 personnel deployed, supported by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Helicopters were also being readied to deliver relief goods to isolated areas once weather conditions improve.

The PCG reported that 4,931 passengers were stranded in 103 affected ports across the country. Matnog Port in Sorsogon and Batangas Port recorded the highest number of stranded passengers.

“We are closely monitoring all ports and assisting passengers as operations resume gradually,” said PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab.

Alejandro said President Marcos Jr. has directed all national agencies to stay on the ground for early recovery efforts.

“Even as we continue search and rescue, we are already activating the early recovery cluster to address emergency housing and rehabilitation needs,” he said.