In Pinay's footsteps: AFTERMATH OF TYPHOON SENDONG IN ILIGAN circa DECEMBER 2011 PART 1

It is 12 days after Typhoon Sendong devastated Northern Mindanao, especially Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City.

It is heartwarming to note that inspite of the devastation that Typhoon Sendong has brought to these cities, help from all over the country and all over the world have kept on pouring for those who need help.

An example is Team Albay. Albay in itself is in a typhoon prone area, but the Albay government has sent a composite team of 12 people (Team Composition: Albay APSEMO, Albay PHO, APRU, Albay WATSAN, PSWDO; NG-OCD, DOH-HEMS, BRTTH-HEMS, NAVFORSOL, PAF-TOG5, 901^st Bde) to help out the victims in Cagayan de Oro City, and therefore, missing their Christmas and New Year by doing so! I heard they have the support of the Spanish government for the funding, too.

In Iligan, the Iligan Bloggers have made their influence felt by rallying their support to Typhoon Sendong victims.

In Facebook, we have seen our friends share their time and resources to go to Cagayan de Oro like Dr. Anton L. representing Tzu Chi Zamboanga and also Dr. Mike M. representing Brent-ZAPSA group, and many more whom we have not mentioned.

Personally, I just happened to be in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in transit and it saddens my heart to see the effect of the devastation.

Here are updated news reports on Typhoon Sendong last December 27 and December 29.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/27/11/sendong-death-toll-now-1453

'Sendong' death toll now at 1,453

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 12/27/2011 12:14 PM | Updated as of 12/27/2011 12:14 PM

MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from tropical storm “Sendong” has reached 1,453, latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed.

In its report, the NDRRMC said the number of dead bodies recovered in hardest-hit Cagayan de Oro City now stands at 891, with 502 still unidentified.

In Iligan City, disaster officials said 408 perished from the floods. A total of 330 bodies from the city have yet to be identified.

The NDRRMC said 84 individuals have been confirmed missing. However, it noted that 1,023 more missing individuals are still “subject for verification.”

Evacuation centers, tent city

Meanwhile, 5,521 families or 22,708 individuals remain inside 25 evacuation centers across Cagayan de Oro City.

Some 20 evacuation centers in Iligan City, on the other hand, are holding 5,465 families or 27,812 individuals.

A total of 54,795 individuals remain inside 56 evacuation centers in all areas affected by Sendong.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos on Monday said there is a possibility that a tent city will be built for the residents, who are currently taking temporary shelter in schools across CDO.

Latest count showed that a total of 42,235 homes were damaged, partially or totally, by the storm’s onslaught.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/242975/news/nation/ndrrmc-sendong-death-toll-rises-to-1-257

NDRRMC: 'Sendong' death toll rises to 1,257

December 29, 2011 8:52am

The death toll from Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) rose to 1,257 while the estimated damage to property went up to P1.382 billion early Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

In its 8 a.m. update, the NDRRMC said at least 85 missing people had been identified, while some 4,619 people were injured.

The NDRRMC said Sendong affected 113,411 families or 720,860 people in 789 villages in 56 towns and eight cities in 13 provinces.

Of these, 10,984 families or 54,022 people are being served in 53 evacuation centers.

Damage to property was estimated at P1,382,008,527, including P1,105,356,000 in infrastructure and P276,652,527 in agriculture.

Sendong brought rain and floods that devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas earlier this month. Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities were among the hardest-hit areas.

Foreign aid has started pouring in for the survivors.

The Department of Health established Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) in evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro City.

A DOH-Center for Health and Development team conducted immunization in Ubaldo Laya Elementary School in Iligan, giving vaccines for children. — LBG, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/242874/news/official-sendong-body-count-1-249-not-1-453-mdash-ndrrmc#

Official 'Sendong' body count 1,249 not 1,453 — NDRRMC

December 28, 2011 8:48am

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday the official body count of the victims from tropical storm "Sendong" (international name: Washi) is 1,249 not 1,453 as it reported earlier.

In its 6:00 a.m. update on Wednesday, the NDRRMC said the tally was based on the actual count of the regional disaster risk reduction and management councils concerned.

"The NDRRMC tally on dead casualties refers to the actual 'head count' (existence of a dead body) regardless of identification/anonymity for operational/strategic purposes whereas the (Department of Health) only counts bodies with established identity and/or with death certificates," the NDRRMC said.

On the other hand, the NDRRMC said at least 84 missing people had been identified so far.

It added that "Sendong" has so far affected 113,411 families (or 720,860 people) in 789 villages in 13 provinces.

Of these, 11,301 families (or 54,473 people) are in 53 evacuation centers.

Here are images of Iligan City as we passed by the highway on the way to Cagayan de Oro City then Davao last December 26, 2011.

there is now scarcity of clean water... we see people washing clothes in a nearby water source! By the way, this is in Timoga Springs area which is supposed to be for recreation but because of the need for water, the tourist place is now a giant laundromat!

clean-up has started but the houses and the lawns are now still filled with mud!

and more mud all over!

even trucks are not spared...

if huge equipment can tumble down like this,
what more for people!!!

can you imagine the physical destruction?

the other bridge is destroyed!!!

Can you imagine how high the water has risen and how strong the power of the waves that it is enough to destroy the cement rails of this main bridge?!?! What more for people!!!