Yagami Website

MANILA - The death toll from the onslaught of tropical storm "Ondoy" (international code name Ketsana) has reached 27 in Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City alone, its barangay chairman said.

Of this number, Bagong Silangan Barangay Chairman Armando Indaya said 11 of the fatalities were brought to the barangay's covered court while the remaining 16 are still in the Tahuna Funeral Parlor.

"Nasa funenaria pa sila, bukas pa darating iyong iba. Nakuha na namin iyong mga pangalan ng patay dito. Twenty-five iyong dinala. May dineretso raw doon sa funenaria na dalawa pa. So 27," Indaya told ABS-CBN News.

On the other hand, Indaya said about 108 people in their barangay remain missing. "Pwera pa rito iyong mga nagpalista. Meron pa raw kasing buong pamilya na nalunod," he said.

At present, the Bagong Silangan covered court houses some 708 families, Indaya said. Other families were sent to relocation centers in other areas of Quezon City.

Among those in the evacuation center are Leonora Tukayon and Edwin Castro, whose families passed away at the onslaught of the tropical storm.

Tukayon is now left with her 6 grandchildren, following the deaths of 2 others, her 3 children, and 2 in-laws. Two of her families, meanwhile, are not yet found.

"Puro na ulila iniwan sa amin. Anim na apo. Ako na lang mag-isa...Kung sinuman ang gustong tumulong sa kalagayan ko ngayon, alang-ala sa mga apo ko, kasi wala na silang mga magulang," she lamented.

Castro, on the other hand, lost his wife and youngest child after being separated during the storm. "Sana matulungan ninyo ang pamilya ko. Para maipalibing iyong asawa at anak ko," he said.

According to Indaya, this tragedy would not have happened if residents moved to safer ground at an earlier time as advised by the government.

"Hindi kami nagkulang sa abiso. Lagi kaming nananawagan. May kasama pa kaming Red Cross na umiikot noong umaga. Kadalasan kapag umuulan nang malakas sinasabi nila huhupa rin yan. Bababa rin iyan. E ngayon tuloy-tuloy ang ulan. Hindi lang dito, kundi pati na rin buong Metro Manila," he explained, adding that 2 of their rescuers have already drowned.

Assistance

Indaya said Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte has already committed to give financial assistance to the victims of tropical storm "Ondoy." Belmonte, along with his daughter Joy, Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, and Councilor Ariel Inton, visited the Bagong Silangan Covered Court on Sunday night.

"Gamitin daw ang calamity (fund), all out support si Mayor," Indaya said.

Aside from Belmonte, Indaya said senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Manuel "Mar" Roxas also paid a visit to the nearby church to bring 900 packs of goods to Barangay Silangan residents.

"Dumating din sina Mar at Noynoy sa simbahan para magbigay ng pagkain," he said. Both Aquino and Roxas have launched "Operation Tulong Bayan" following the onslaught of tropical storm "Ondoy."