Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Seven people from the Cordillera Administrative Region were killed during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Lawin, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (NDRRMC) confirmed on Friday.
NDRRMC Spokesperson Mina Marasigan said most of the recorded deaths were people killed on their way to evacuation centers.
“Nakakalungkot isipin na mayroon tayong mga kakabayan na inabutan ng landslide habang sila ay palikas,” she said.
Marasigan added that because of the intense to torrential rains the region experienced, landslides were inevitable as CAR is a mountain range.
NDRRMC also said there are five reported deaths from Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Isabela, but it is still subject for verification if they died due to Lawin. There are also reported missing people from Ifugao and Cagayan.
Marasigan said 13,297 families are still in evacuation centers or staying with family members. Sixty-five barangays remain flooded but flood water is slowly subsiding.
Lawin’s damage to agriculture
Initial damage to agriculture was reported at ₱26 million, mostly in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, according to the NDRRMC.
Marasigan also said 113 houses were damaged in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad are currently conducting an aerial assessment of the situation in Cagayan.
Marasigan said a C-130 plane left Mactan on Friday morning to bring additional relief goods to Cagayan.
Super Typhoon Lawin (international name: Haima) left the country on Thursday evening.
