The Philippine Online Chronicles

Typhoon Bebeng is now moving away from the country, leaving 15 people dead, three others missing, and two injured, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Bebeng (International name Aere), which slammed into the country on Sunday, caused blackouts, landslides, erosions, tornado, flooding, and sea mishaps in some parts of Luzon and Visayas.

The casualties were identified as: Roberto Hojila, 33 (National Capital Region); Alberto Tolentino, 59 (Region III); Rexambard Tayamora, 9 (Region V); Maricel Reulan, 19 (Region V); Princess Reulan, 8 months (Region V); Marco Sanchez, 7 (Region V); Aristeo Sabido, 31 (Region V); Rolando Balandia (Region V); Mario Nuñez, 52 (Region V); Arnulfo Pesito, 23 (Region V); Lourdes Lantero, 58 (Region V); Adrian Clark Ayanan, 16 (Region V); Jesus Paloma, 45 (Region V); Luis Dingcol, 46 (Region VIII); and Jerry Mijare, 38 (Region VIII).

Reported injured were Judy Llantero, 27, and Dominador Osaña Jamito, 56, both from Region V. Meanwhile, Agmeti Condat, Dodoy Ronan, and a man only identified as Mr. Abagat were reported missing in the same region.

According to the NDRRMC's 6:00 a.m. update, a total of 33,034 families (173,915 persons) were affected in 237 barangays of 31 municipalities, five cities, and 10 provinces hit by the typhoon. It added that 11 identified evacuation centers sheltered about 313 families (1,449 persons).

The NDRRMC also reported that a total of 7,245 hectares of rice, corn HVCC and livestock or poultry were damaged, amounting to a loss of 24,490.31 metric tons worth P117,825,132.30.

The NDRRMC added that as of 11:00 p.m. yesterday, 11 roads in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Benguet remained impassable. However, almost all ports in Regions V, IV-B, and VI have resumed their operations.

Some municipalities in Northern Samar have no power supply, although province-wide power was restored in Marinduque. Telephone lines are still down in Camarines Sur and Albay.

As of 9:00 p.m. yesterday, Ipo Dam, La Mesa Dam, Binga Dam, and Ambuklao Dam have also opened their gates.

NDRRMC also noted that emergency response operations are ongoing through coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Navy Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units, Philippine National Police (PNP), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Police Regional Office (PRO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Regional and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, among others.

Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletin issued 5:00 a.m. today, Bebeng is moving away from the country in a northeast direction and is located at 120 km southeast of Basco, Batanes. It has a maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and up to 80 kph gustiness.

Public storm warning signal number one is still raised in Cagayan, Apayao, Batanes, Babuyan, and Calayan.

By Thursday, PAGASA forecast that Bebeng will be 130 km west southwest of Okinawa, Japan.