ILOILO – The number of casualties from Typhoon “Tino” continues to climb, with six fatalities now confirmed and nearly 900,000 residents affected across Western Visayas, according to the latest report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as of Friday, November 7.
The typhoon’s devastation has spread across five provinces — Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras — impacting 860,527 individuals from 263,584 families. Local authorities say the figures are still expected to rise as reports from remote barangays continue to come in.
“The scale of impact is extensive, and our teams are continuously conducting assessments and extending assistance to affected areas,” the OCD-6 said in a statement.
Mounting Human Toll
Capiz recorded three of the six confirmed fatalities:
* Jhonde Depone Bataga, 55, was electrocuted while fixing his roof in Barangay San Ramon, Pilar, on November 3.
* Spanky Ediosillo Baroca, 42, of Sublangon, Pontevedra, died after being hit by a falling tree on November 4.
* Sherwin Jabonete, 38, a fisherman from President Roxas, drowned and was later found on the shores of Panay town.
In Antique, a 50-year-old man drowned while attempting to cross a river in Anini-y.
In Iloilo, a 55-year-old woman in Dumangas was swept away when her riverside hut collapsed, while in Guimaras, a 63-year-old fisherman, identified only as “Fred,” was found dead in Nueva Valencia.
Widespread Damage
OCD-6 reported that 1,230 barangays in Iloilo were among the hardest hit, followed by 449 in Antique, 409 in Capiz, 299 in Aklan, and 93 in Guimaras. Many areas remain flooded, and cleanup operations are ongoing.
Agriculture Hit Hard
The storm also battered the agricultural sector, damaging 455.58 hectares of farmland and affecting 611 farmers and fisherfolk in the region.
Losses have reached P10.6 million, with the bulk coming from Iloilo (P7.53 million), followed by Antique (P3.04 million) and Aklan (P41,515).
“These numbers reflect not only the physical devastation but also the economic hardship that our farmers and fishers now face,” the OCD-6 noted.
From Landfall to Exit
Typhoon “Tino”, internationally known as Kalmaegi, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on November 2 and reached its peak intensity by November 4, prompting the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 in parts of Antique, Iloilo, and Guimaras. Though it weakened as it crossed the Iloilo Strait, it left behind a trail of destruction before exiting the PAR on November 6.
Authorities continue to warn of lingering floods and landslides as the region begins recovery operations. “We urge everyone to remain vigilant,” OCD-6 said, stressing that the full extent of the damage is still being determined./PN
