Appeals for donations for the thousands of victims of typhoon “Frank” were aired yesterday as the death toll, and number of houses and properties reported destroyed continued to rise in Western Visayas.

The death toll in Western Visayas rose to 223 yesterday with 219 still missing. Another 105 were injured, according to a report of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council yesterday. But the figures are believed to be higher with more bodies found by search and rescue teams throughout the region and as far as Masbate yesterday afternoon.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra called for donations for the Typhoon Frank victims to be brought to the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center at the Bishop’s House in Bacolod City.

“We will make sure that donations are delivered to those in need,” he said.

Joy de la Cruz, Philippine National Red Cross Negros chief, also appealed for blankets, containers for potable water, used clothing and puritabs for the flood victims.

She said donations through the PNRC can be brought to the PNRC office at 10th Street behind the St. John’s Institute in Bacolod City.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office yesterday said Typhoon Frank flooded the homes of 12,547 families or 61,402 individuals in 22 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, and left 194 houses destroyed and 772 damaged.

In Bacolod City, 317 houses were destroyed and 553 damaged.

As of yesterday damage to crops, fishing, poultry and livestock in Negros Occidental was  placed at P23.8 million.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena placed damage to carabaos, cattle, goats, swine, poultry and fighting cocks in Negros Occidental at P4.3 million in 21 towns and cities of Negros Occidental.

He said the biggest hit by Typhoon Frank was a boiler farm in EB Magalona that lost 27,000 heads of poultry totaling P2.3 million.

A partial report from Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan placed damage to crops and the fishing industry at P19,442,227.

In Iloilo, Msgr. Meliton Oso, executive director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center, said they continued to distribute donations to parishes where residents who have lost or evacuated their homes have sought shelter.

Around 700 evacuees have been staying at the Jaro Cathedral alone since Saturday.

Relief goods from government agencies have also been distributed to towns affected by the flooding. Others that are less accessible were flown in by military choppers.

Iloilo had the most number of fatalities with 135, followed by Antique with 31, Aklan – 20, Iloilo City – 15, Capiz – 11, and Negros Occidental – 11.

Oso appealed for more donations and assistance as evacuees could still not go back to their homes. Many houses were swept away while others are still covered with debris and mud.

“There was enough food during the first two days but our supply is running out. We need to continue our help to these victims,” Oso said.*CPG/NPB

DECOMPOSING BODIES FOUND
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Twenty-six decomposing bodies, some of them believed to be among those of more than 100 missing fishermen from Negros Occidental, were discovered floating in the territorial waters of Iloilo Sunday, police yesterday said.

Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Iloilo provincial police director, said the 16 decomposing bodies were washed ashore in coastal areas of Estancia, and 10 others in several island barangays of Carles town, all in Iloilo.

De la Paz said he believes that some of the fatalities may have come from the sunken commercial fishing vessels, including those from Negros Occidental, which had sought shelter at the Sicogon Island in Carles, when Typhoon Frank slammed at them.

The police are now in the process of identifying the victims.

Senior Inspector Remias Alavaren, Carles police chief, yesterday said some of the decomposing bodies were already buried, because of foul odor.

Alavaren also said that one of the 10 fatalities was identified as among the crew members of F/B Alaska.

Two Binalbagan fishermen were also rescued on the territorial waters of Ajuy town in Iloilo Sunday.

De la Paz identified the two survivors as Edgar and Errol Mabayan, all residents of Brgy. Canmoros, Binalbagan.

He said the two fishermen are now safe, but still confined at the Sara District Hospital in Iloilo.*GPB

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