RETRIEVED. Several dead bodies unearthed in Kantagnos village in Baybay City in this April 13, 2022 photo. As of early Thursday (April 14) the death toll in Baybay City, Leyte has climbed to 81 as responders pull out more cadavers from the debris.(Photo courtesy of Bureau of Fire Protection Region 8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The landslide death toll in Baybay City and Abuyog in Leyte has climbed to 113 as of early Thursday as responders pull out more cadavers from the debris.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office said of the 113 cadavers, 81 were retrieved in landslide-hit villages of Baybay City and 32 in landslide-affected communities in Abuyog town.
In an update by Mayor Jose Carlos Cari via Facebook on Wednesday night, the official said some of the bodies were dug from mudslides while others were washed out to the shoreline days after Tropical Depression Agaton dumped heavy rains in the province.
Bodies were unearthed in Mailhi, Bunga, Kantagnos, San Agustin, Maypatag, Pangasugan, Zone 21, Candadam, Caridad, Igang, Sto. Rosario, and Can-ipa villages, all in Baybay City.
“The city has been placed under a state of calamity through an executive order signed on April 11 due to massive landslide and flooding. In Barangay Kantagnos, almost all houses are covered by mud,” Cari said.
In Kantagnos village alone, 26 dead bodies have been retrieved so far and 109 missing persons have been accounted for, the mayor said.
In Abuyog town, of the 32 cadavers found, 29 are in the coastal village of Pilar.
The landslide happened around 3 p.m. on April 12 and the debris covered 80 percent of Pilar, according to the local police.
The search resumed on Thursday for the 177 persons initially identified as missing in Pilar.
Meanwhile, a local official asked for assistance to help the victims of Tropical Depression Agaton not only in the city but in nearby towns as well.
“The entire 5th district of Leyte needs your help once more as many homes and livelihoods have been damaged, families and individuals are missing, and communication lines have been unstable due to major flooding and landslides across our district,” Rep. Carl Nicolas Cari said in a video message posted late Wednesday.
Among the first responders was Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez who sent a rescue team, medical team, hygiene kits, medicines, and generator set to Baybay.
The city also sent additional personnel, including ambulance crew and psychological first aiders.
"We will extend all help within our capacity. We have to remember that in those times that we need help, many came to assist us. It's time for us to give back,” Gomez said.
Other responders are the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban – Leyte Inc and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
Local supporters of presidential candidates Vice President Leni Robredo and former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also send initial relief assistance to typhoon-affected families. (PNA)
Source: Business Diary Philippines
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