MANILA, Philippines—Deaths from Typhoon “Ruby” rose to 18 on Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
The deaths were reported from the regions of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas.
The official death toll stood at 19 on Thursday morning, but NDRRMC Executive Director Alexander Pama admitted there was a double count so the number went down to 18 in the afternoon.
“Ni-report natin as of 6 a.m. kanina ay 19. Ngunit pangunahan ko na po sa alas dose na figures natin, magbabago ito, mabawasan ng isa dahil inaamin ko po, kasalanan ko yun, naduling ako. Nagkaroon ng double count so it will be 18,” Pama said in a press briefing.
There are 940,290 persons remaining in evacuation centers.
Damage to property has reached P3 billion, the NDRRMC said.
A total of P93.7 million has been shelled out by the government for assistance in typhoon-hit areas.
Pama said he did not see the need for the government to declare a national state of calamity.
“Sa sitwasyon ngayon po mukhang nakakayanan natin. Kung aabot man po pwede naman pong pag-usapan pero sa sitwasyon po ngayon mukhang hindi kailangan,” he said.
‘Stabilized’
The situation in Eastern Samar has already “stabilized” in the aftermath of Ruby.
“We consider the situation stabilized. Hindi ibig sabhin na maayos na pero stable. Kumbaga sa pasyente ito ay tapos na yung emergency room period, tapos na yung ICU at nandun na tayo sa regular room,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said.
He said the main supply routes have been opened, including the airport and seaports. There were also no reports of looting, and the prices of basic commodities are “stable.”
Ruby first made landfall in Eastern Samar last Saturday.
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