MANILA — The death toll from Typhoon “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi) surged to 66, with Cebu and Negros Island Region bearing the brunt of the devastation caused by landslides, flooding, and debris, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Wednesday.
Cebu recorded the highest number of fatalities at 49, mostly from landslides and flash floods triggered by torrential rains.
In the Negros Island Region, seven deaths were confirmed — two from falling debris and five still under investigation. One fatality each was reported in Bohol, Capiz, and Leyte, while another in Leyte was caused by flooding, the agency added.
Tragedy also struck the military when six members of the Philippine Air Force — two pilots and four crew — perished after a Super Huey helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday during a relief mission.
At least 26 individuals remain missing — 13 in Cebu and another 13 in La Castella, Negros Occidental — as search and rescue operations continue amid difficult terrain and blocked roads.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered Cabinet officials to proceed to the hardest-hit areas to ensure that assistance and essential services reach affected residents swiftly.
“Ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) ay nakapag-preposition na ng food packs at relief goods sa mga apektadong lugar na handa nang ipamahagi; ang DOE (Department of Energy) at NEA (National Electrification Administration) ay tumutugon na sa mga ulat ng power outages; habang ang DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) at MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) ay nagpapakilos ng mga clearing teams para linisin ang mga daan,” said Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, quoting the President.
“Tutungo rin ang ilang miyembro ng Gabinete sa mga pinakaapektadong probinsiya upang personal na alamin ang kalagayan at tiyaking naibabalik agad ang mga pangunahing serbisyo,” she added. “Tinitiyak ng pamahalaan ang patuloy na pagkilos upang mapabilis ang pagbangon ng ating mga kababayan.”
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the destruction as thousands remain in evacuation centers across the Visayas and parts of Mindanao.
Typhoon Tino — the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the country this year — unleashed fierce winds and heavy rains across the Visayas, as well as parts of Mindanao and Southern Luzon, triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 11 a.m. bulletin that Tino is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday night or early Thursday morning./PN
