gender equality

#GlendaPH: At least 40 dead, thousands without power

Bea Cupin

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

#GlendaPH: At least 40 dead, thousands without power
(4th UPDATE) It appears Quezon province suffered the most damage

 

 MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – Numerous provinces and cities remained without power even after Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun) left Philippine soil, leaving behind at least 40 dead.

In a report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday, around 10 am, July 17, the council said 17 were injured while 4 remain missing in the wake of Typhoon Glenda.

Most of the deaths, according to the report, were caused by fallen trees and debris. 

Glenda, which is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday afternoon, July 17, had maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 170 km/h, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

The youngest casualty, so far was 11-month-old Reynce Benedict Laborada from Cavite, who died after she was pinned down by a concrete wall. The eldest, a 96-year-old Estelita Sapungan, died due to a heart attack.

In an earlier press briefing Wednesday, NDRRMC chief Undersecretary Alexander Pama said initially that at least 6 casualties have been validated by the council. (READ: #GlendaPH out of PAR Thursday afternoon)

But with power still out in some provinces, the death toll as reported by the country’s disaster council may still increase.

 

The typhoon passed through the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan and Pampanga.

At least 5 of those provinces – Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Cavite and Quezon – are under a state of calamity. Muntinlupa city in NCR is also under a state of calamity. 

When an area is placed under a state of calamity, the government may control the price of basic necessities and prime commodities; grant no-interest loans; and tap into calamity funds.

Local government units (LGUs) may also accept importations and foreign donations with tariffs or taxes, authorize the importation of rice, give hazard allowances for public health workers, and science and technological personnel.

SURVEY. A soldier looks on during the aerial survey of areas affected by Typhoon Glenda. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Air Force

‘Nowhere near Yolanda’

The storm is already over the West Philippine Sea and is moving towards Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales.

Initial reports from the NDRRMC and several local government units (LGUs) paint a fairly good picture of affected regions after the typhoon. An aerial survey by NDRRMC officials over Metro Manila and parts of Cavite showed minimal damage.

Pama said of the provinces affected, Quezon seemed to have suffered the most damage, adding that the typhoon passed through the entire length of the province.

Cost of damage?

The council, however, has yet to begin accounting for the cost of Glenda’s damage. “The standard procedure is that 6 hours after the event, we focus on clearing [operations],” said Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Teams will be sent out tomorrow in several regions to conduct rapid assessments. “We can also say that it’s nowhere near the damage of [Typhoon] Yolanda,” added Singson.

Glenda is the first “major” typhoon to hit the Philippines since Super Typhoon Yolanda, which ravaged different provinces in the Visayas and parts of Luzon in 2013.

Palace Spokesman Secretary Sonny Coloma said they were generally satisfied with the level or preparedness by local chief executives. “Kinikilala nila yung kanilang responsibilidad. Mataas yung kanilang level of awareness and it follows that their level of preparedness is also elevated,” he told Rappler.

(They know their responsibility. Their level of awareness is high).

The full list of casualties follows:

REGION 3

  • Reynaldo Meneses Hernandez, 48/M, Bulacan 
  • Mario T. Paulo, 52/M, Zambales

REGION IV-A

  • Nanet Sibuc Artifacio, 48/F, Lucena City
  • Arlyn Artifacio Calabeda, 20/F, Lucena City
  • Adrian Cibuc Artifacio, Lucena City 
  • Angelica Guarinio, Rizal 
  • Reynce Benedict Laborada, 11-months-old, Cavite 
  • Cristituto Tolentino, 60/M, Cavite 
  • Felizardo Ramos, 70/M, Rizal 
  • Rodel de Luna, Padre Burgos 
  • Butch Ranin, 58/M, Quezon 
  • Angelica Arroyo, 70/F, Rizal
  • REGION IV-B
  • Ninito Lancion Loslos, 74/M, Marinduque 
  • Isabela Riego Rivamonte, 75/F, Marinduque 
  • Estelita Sapungan, 96/F, Marinduque 
  • Rudy Atienza, 75/M, Oriental Mindoro 
  • Jaymark Siason, 17/M, Occidental Mindoro

REGION V

  • Reynaldo Rubia, Camarines Sur 
  • Anna Rubia, Camarines Sur

REGION VIII

  • Lourdes Ongray Lim, 25/F, Northen Samar
GLENDA'S WRATH. A commuter braves rain and winds caused Typhoon Glenda in Quezon City. Photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

Power down

Many provinces and cities have already moved on to rehabilitation. Power outages, however, continue to be a problem. Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said around 86% of its consumers, particular those in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon areas were heavily affected.

The NDRRMC has yet to compile reports on power outages, since some provinces get their power from local cooperatives. – Rappler.com

Get the latest update on #GlendaPH via our live blog.

Help map latest information and critical alerts through #GlendaPH: Map latest info and critical alerts.

Visit Project Agos for the latest stories on areas affected by Typhoon Glenda.

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.