Typhoon death toll rises to 48 in Philippines’ Cebu province

The death toll caused by super typhoon Yolanda, also known as Haiyan, in the Philippine province of Cebu rose to 48, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said Monday. The super typhoon claimed one fatality in neighbouring Bohol province which was severely hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October 15, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) said today. PRO 7 Information Officer Superintendent Renato Dugan said only seven fatalities from Bantayan town and three from Madridejos town have been identified. The syper typhoon affected almost 90 per cent of northern Cebu, according to initial reports, he said and added, 62 personnel divided into two platoons have been sent to Bantayan Island on Sunday. Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the province, which was already declared under a “state of calamity” after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last October 15, will remain under a state of calamity. Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chief Neil Sanchez, , said Bantayan Island is 90 percent devastated with no water, food and shelter. Cebu Provincial Police Chief Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac said, 95 percent of the towns of Daanbantayan, Bantayan Island, Medellin, Tabogon, San Remegio, Bogo and Madridejos were devastated. Several schools were damaged including 13 in Madridejos town. In San Francisco town 773 houses were damaged and 1,547 partially damaged. Damage to agriculture in the town is pegged at pesos 200 Million, according to the PNA report.