OCD insists zero casualty under ‘Tisoy’

LEGAZPI CITY --- The chief of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol has stood pat that the region has attained its “Zero Casualty” goal despite the reported death of at least five persons at the height of Typhoon ‘Tisoy’ that hit Bicol on Dec. 2, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Manageement Council (RDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

Claudio Yucot, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) chair and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol regional director told council members that he has yet to receive a confirmation and validation report from the Department of Interior and Local Goverment (DILG) whether the incidents were indeed typhoon related deaths.

During the RDRRMC meeting, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that it has recorded reports of five deaths due to electrocution, drowning and illness, which happened on Monday during the onslaught of Tisoy.

The report said two persons died due to drowning in the towns of Goa and Pili and electrocution in Libmanan, all in Camarines Sur.

In Sorsogon, a male died due to drowning in Bulan town while another died inside an evacuation center in Sorsogon City.

Meanwhile, the power situation in the whole region remained critical issues as it could not yet be determined when it would be restored.

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Bicol spokesperson Nilda Somera said major transmission lines were toppled by Typhoon Tisoy in Bicol, Southern Luzon, and Visayas regions.

In Bicol region, affected transmission lines were seven 69 V Lines in Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon.

The Department of Agriculture reported initial damages to agriculture amounting to P667.3 million.

for its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said all major roads in the six provinces have been cleared of debris and declared passable.

The provincial governments of Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur have already declared their respective provinces under a State of Calamity.