Missing fishermen in Biliran, Misamis Oriental found

MANILA, Philippines—All 14 fishermen from Biliran and Misamis Oriental who had gone missing since Tuesday after sailing out on sea amid bad weather brought about by Tropical Depression “Ramon” were found in neighboring areas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Wednesday.

According to its 6 p.m. report, brothers Benjie and Erickson Bernaldez; Renato, Elren and Renajarne Jugarap; Amaro Rogelio and Cris Boy Maglasang, were found along the waters of Guindulman in Bohol and were brought to Cantugay, Surigao.

Meanwhile, brothers Joel, Rading and Domingo Militares; Randy Gumahin; Poloy Lameon; and Salvador Cabrera from Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental, are now in Camiguin after seeking refuge in Surigao City.

The last fisherman from Bariis, Caibiran, Biliran who was reported missing Tuesday, was rescued by local residents, the report added.

As per the latest toll of NDRRMC, the number of affected families rose to over 1,200 in Romblon, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, and Dinagat Island.

Ten evacuation areas are now serving around 448 displaced families, the report said.

Meanwhile, damages to infrastructures were also recorded.

Bridges in Romblon, namely Magsupot Bridge located along Sta. Maria-Alcantara Road; and Bacawan Bridge and San Agustin Bridge in Tablas Circumferential Road, were also declared impassable as of 3p.m. due to washed-out bridge approaches, the report said.

Two roads in Romblon were also affected by the heavy rains.

According to NDRRMC, Tablas Circumferential Road along Nabang Section in Sta. Maria and along the villages of Tumingad, Libertad, Paniqui, Anahaw, and Dapawan, all in Odiongan, were recorded impassable due to landslide and floodwaters.

In western Visayas, four families were recorded displaced after their houses were destroyed due to waist-deep flood waters in Kawayanan, Cano-an village, Estancia, Iloilo.

In Region 7, provincial road along Don Gregorio Antigua village in Borbon, Cebu was rendered impassable to all type of vehicles due to landslide, it added.

As of posting, the government has pre-positioned P7.5 million standby funds and P56.67 million worth of relief supplies in all DSWD field offices along the typhoon path.