RESCUE vehicles pass a flooded road in Liloan town, Cebu province. (Mayor Aljew Frasco FB)
CEBU CITY – Fatalities have reached 98 as more bodies were retrieved a day after typhoon ‘’Tino’’ battered Cebu province on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Data released by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of the Cebu provincial government on Wednesday, Nov. 5, said Tino displaced 120,000 residents as widespread flooding washed away houses and infrastructure.
The EOC said the town of Liloan recorded the highest number of fatalities with 35.
The number of deaths could still increase as rescue teams continued to search for missing residents in several communities that were severely flooded during the onslaught of the typhoon early Tuesday morning.
The EOC said 16 deaths were recorded in Compostela, 12 in Mandaue City, nine in Danao City, seven in Talisay City, six in Balamban town, and one in Consolacion town.
In Cebu City, at least 12 residents died due to heavy flooding, Mayor Nestor Archival said.
The EOC added that 120,874 residents took temporary shelter in 968 evacuation centers across Cebu.
Power and water interruptions affected Danao, Bantayan, Tabogon, Medellin, and Daanbantayan.
Most areas in Cebu also experienced erratic telecommunication signals.
Because of the devastation, Cebu was placed under a state of calamity.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro issued an executive order (EO) for the declaration that was formalized during an emergency session of the Provincial Board on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
“This declaration will allow the Cebu provincial government to fast-track the relief and rehabilitation efforts so that help will be swiftly sent to the typhoon victims,” said Vice Gov. Glen Socco.
With the state of calamity declaration, provincial and local government offices will be allowed to use their Quick Response Funds and other available resources for rescue, relief, recovery, and rehabilitation operations.
The EO also ordered the implementation of a price freeze on basic goods and commodities in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Local Price Coordination Council, in line with Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act.