MANILA, Philippines – The reported fatalities from Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (Nalgae), which battered numerous parts of the Philippines over the weekend, have climbed to 101, the country’s disaster agency reported on Monday, October 31.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in its situation report sent to the media on Monday evening, said that of the body count, 73 have been confirmed. NDRRMC’s system of reporting includes deaths that have yet to be validated; in this case, 28 are subject to confirmation.

The breakdown of the deaths is as follows:

• 53 – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
• 22 – Western Visayas
• 12 – Calabarzon
• 6 – Eastern Visayas
• 4 – Zamboanga Peninsula
• 3 – Soccsksargen
• 1 – Bicol

The agency also said there are 70 reported injuries, while 66 people remain missing.

The storm affected over two million Filipinos, including more than 205,000 who sought refuge in evacuation centers.

A total of 409 areas across 17 regions were still flooded, while 175 towns and cities were still grappling with power interruptions.

Three airports (two in Caraga, one in Mimaropa) were still non-operational as of Monday evening.

Cost of damage

Initial damage assessment provided by the NDRRMC indicates losses that have surpassed the billion-peso mark.

Damage to agriculture was pegged at P1.17 billion, based on reports from only five regions so far, while damage to infrastructure exceeded P760 million.

Around 4,800 houses were damaged, incurring a value of P12.4 million.

A total of 158 cities and municipalities are under a state of calamity, allowing their local chief executives to easily access emergency funds for quick response. – Rappler.com