March 29, 2024

Typhoon Maring has left six dead, one missing, and one injured in Benguet, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Two casualties and one injured were recorded in Itogon; one casualty from Kibungan and one missing; and three individuals, all children, died in La Trinidad.

In Tuding, Itogon, Cherrie Dillam Leo, 32, died while her husband, Raygan, 35, sustained minor injuries. The other casualty was Colasa Tigwey, 80, from Simpa, Ampucao. The victims’ houses were buried due to soil erosion.

In Tacadang, Kibungan, June Balangen, 20, died due to soil erosion, while his brother, Romy, 25, is still missing. Their other sibling escaped unhurt when the soil eroded.

In Ambiong, La Trinidad, the Telego siblings namely Nigel, 8, Butchok, 6, and Ayesha, 3, died when a landslide hit their house while their parents escaped unhurt.

The PDRRMO also reported that 304 families representing more than 1,200 individuals in 46 barangays were affected by the typhoon with Itogon having the highest number of affected families with 105 or 452 persons.

Bakun came in second with 63 families, or 219 persons affected.

More than 20 affected families sought shelter in the various evacuation centers while 155 other families stayed with their relatives or neighbors.

Food packs and other materials were provided to the affected families and coordination was made with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office for the distribution of food packs especially to the displaced families.

The Office of Provincial Agriculturist is still collating data from the 13 towns on crop damage.

Gov. Melchor Diclas said the data gathered would help the province to seek help from agencies for assistance for farmers affected by the typhoon. – Ofelia C. Empian