At least 59 people have been killed in the central Philippine province of Iloilo and the death toll could rise further after flash flooding from Typhoon Frank (international codename Fengshen) washed out communities, the local governor said on Sunday.
"Iloilo is like an ocean. This is the worst disaster we have had in our history," Neil Tupaz told local radio.
At least 80 people have been reported killed since the storm hit on Friday. Hundreds of people on board a passenger ferry remain unaccounted for after the vessel capsized in Romblon.
Four people have been confirmed dead and one crewmember were rescued when the MV Princess of the Stars turned upside down.
President Arroyo, who is in the United States for a state visit, presided over the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting Sunday through phone.
During the meeting, an irked Mrs. Arroyo was heard over radio dzMM scolding the Philippine Coast Guard for allowing the Sulpicio Lines-owned ship to set sail despite the bad weather.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now cleaning up the waters off the coast of Sasa Wharf, Davao City where more than 1,500 liters of oil sludge were spilt Saturday.
Commander Roy Echeverria, station chief of PCG Davao, said the spill may have been caused by the overflowing of water from plants located nearby. He said the area has been under heavy rain since Thursday night.
"It’s coco oil sludges....galing sa septic tank umapaw dahil sa baha. The spill can really affect the Davao Gulf and its immediate environment...but there's nothing to worry about. Naagapan naman agad ng Coast Guard," he said.
Residents living near the shore are complaining of the foul odor emitted by the spill.
The PCG, however, assured residents that they have nothing to worry about since the agency has already prevented the sludge from spreading.
The PCG is now probing where the sludge actually came from. It added that they will go after the company where the spill came from.
Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
A 4.7-magnitude earthquake was felt in Northern Mindanao Monday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
The Phivolcs branch in Surigao City recorded the earthquake at 2:56 p.m. The quake's epicenter was located 19 kilometers north, five degrees west of Butuan City.
The epicenter was five kilometers deep, Phivolcs added.
The quake was felt in Butuan City at intensity 4; intensity 3 to 2 in parts of Cagayan de Oro City; and intensity 1 in Camiguin.
An intensity 2 aftershock was also felt in Butuan City.
No damage caused by the quake has been reported.
