PAENG DEATH TOLL TOPS 100, AFFECTED PEOPLE SWELLS TO OVER 2 MILLION

MANILA - The death toll from the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng has risen to 101, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Monday night, while 66 others remain missing.

Out of the total reported deaths, 73 have been confirmed while 28 remain for validation, said the NDRRMC.

Over half of the fatalities were from a series of flash floods and landslides unleashed by Paeng, which destroyed villages in Mindanao on Friday.

According to the agency's report, 53 deaths were recorded in the Bangsamoro region, 22 were in Western Visayas, 12 were in the Calabarzon, while the rest were in Regions 5, 8, 9 and 12.

A separate report though by the Office of Civil Defense-Calabarzon as of Monday afternoon showed that deaths in the region stood at 30, and five others are missing.

Of the reported missing people in the NDRRMC's latest report, 29 are confirmed while 37 are for validation. Most of the missing individuals are from Region 8 and the Bangsamoro region, while only two were listed under Calabarzon.

The number of injured, meanwhile, stood at 70, of whom 42 have been confirmed and 28 are still for validation.

The NDRRMC said 618,817 families or 2,039,363 people were affected by Paeng, of whom over 205,000 people are staying in 2,801 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, Paeng destroyed 758 houses and damaged 4,863 others, the NDRRMC said.

In its latest advisory, the DA said the storm affected 53,849 farmers and fishers, as well as 64,607 hectares of land.

Close to 67,000 metric tons of crops were destroyed by Paeng, the agency said.

PBBM: NO NEED TO DECLARE YEARLONG CALAMITY STATE

There is no need to declare a national state of calamity after Severe Tropical Storm Paeng ravaged different parts of the country because the damage was “highly localized,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.

Paeng weakened into a tropical storm status on Sunday but intensified again into a severe tropical storm on Monday as it continued to move over the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Marcos’s statement came a day after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recommended a declaration of a national state of calamity.

“I don’t think it’s necessary. I came to that conclusion in consultation with DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources]. They said it wasn’t extensive. The damage is highly localized,” he told reporters in a press briefing in Noveleta, Cavite.

Citing government reports, he said only three provinces—Quezon, Cavite, and Maguindanao—suffered the most damage to infrastructure.

“We’re talking about the east coast Quezon, here in Cavite, and then Maguindanao. Those are the areas. It doesn’t warrant a national calamity,” he said.

Marcos said it was enough for the NDRRMC to implement the state of calamity status in specific areas only.

“I think we will focus better if we stay with the calamity status as we have now,” he added.

On Sunday, the NDRRMC declared a state of calamity in 55 areas in the Bicol (Region 5), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Soccsksargen (Region 12).

SOLONS HIKE AID PLEDGES TO P49.2 MILLION AS HOUSE BECOMES HUB FOR RELIEF

The Office of Speaker Martin G. Romualdez has received some P49.2 million in cash pledges for its relief drive for families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae).

Romualdez announced this Monday even as Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, home of the House of Representatives, was transformed into a hub for sorting and repacking relief goods.

On top of the P49.2 million, Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District, has also received pledges of assistance from the private sector, which committed to helping in the production of much-needed relief packs. Some of these items were already sent to typhoon victims in Cavite and Laguna.

The fund drive was led by Speaker Romualdez; his wife, House committee on accounts chairperson and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez; and House committee on appropriations chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

House employees and officials also donated used clothes and other items that can be used by typhoon victims.

Paeng struck the country during a break in the sessions at the House, which meant most of the congressmen were at their respective districts.

Their presence at their districts has allowed for better coordination on the ground in connecting with the Speaker’s relief drive.

Meanwhile, the country’s two largest telecom companies are ramping up a nationwide rollout of free calls, charging and load assistance to communities affected by Tropical Storm Paeng.

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) added more Libreng Tawag (free calls) and Libreng Charging (free charging) stations to serve the communication needs of communities affected by Typhoon Paeng.

“The Group has begun offering free calls and charging in Quezon, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao del Norte to provide communication as aid to those who need it most. PLDT and Smart also provided the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (PDRRMOs) of Batangas, Aklan, Capiz, Southern Leyte, and Maguindanao del Norte with emergency load to support their coordination efforts,” Cathy Yang, first vice president and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart said.

MARCOS LEADS AID DISTRIBUTION IN CAVITE

MANILA — After drawing flak over his physical absence at two government briefings on the damage and death toll from Tropical Storm Paeng’s onslaught, President Marcos led yesterday the distribution of relief goods to storm victims in Cavite.

He called for a long-term solution to the perennial flood problem in the country as well as strict implementation of preemptive evacuation once a cyclone warning comes out.

At a ceremonial distribution of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s assistance to families and individuals affected by Paeng in Noveleta, Cavite, Marcos highlighted again the importance of conducting preemptive evacuation in minimizing casualties during natural disasters.

“That’s why I always insist and remind all of our NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) that the most important thing when we know a typhoon is coming is that we have a pre-emptive evacuation… so that if the storm passes these areas people will not be victimized,” the President told the crowd in Filipino.

“So that’s what happened here. In my opinion, even though the calamity was of such extent, the number of casualties is not that big,” Marcos said.

The President, however, noted Paeng’s damage to infrastructure in Cavite was significant.

“(Paeng’s) wind was not very strong but there was a lot of water. And our flood control couldn’t handle it anymore,” he said.

“What we are concerned about is the infrastructure damaged because there are many damaged flood controls,” Marcos said after conducting an aerial inspection of the affected areas.

AGRI DAMAGE FROM TROPICAL STORM PAENG PEGGED AT P1.3 BILLION, SAYS DA

MANILA — The damage to agriculture caused by Tropical Storm Paeng nationwide is estimated to cost P1.33 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday.

In its latest advisory, the DA said the storm affected 53,849 farmers and fishers, as well as 64,607 hectares of land.

Close to 67,000 metric tons of crops were destroyed by Paeng, the agency said.

In his visit to Paeng-hit Noveleta, Cavite earlier in the day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Paeng's agricultural damage is estimated to cost P260 million.

The figure was expected to rise as cost estimates in various provinces are still on going, Marcos said.

“Ang assessment diyan hindi lamang kung saan dumaan ang tubig kung hindi kailangan din maano, kakatanim lang daw eh,” he said.

“Planting season ngayon dito. So baka, magtatanim ulit… So we have to see kung ano pa ang puwedeng buhayin, ano yung talagang hindi na kakayanin,” he added.

The president said the national government will provide resources for affected members of the agriculture sector.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said there is no need to place the Philippines under a state of calamity for a year after the onslaught of Paeng.

The NDRRMC recommended the declaration of a year-long national state of calamity, saying 16 out of 17 regions in the Philippines were classified as high risk areas during the onslaught of Paeng.

Paeng exited the Philippine area of responsibility noontime of Monday, but Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over northern Luzon provinces.

Another tropical storm, Queenie, is also expected to bring rains in the Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao Oriental by Tuesday night.

'QUEENIE' WEAKENS INTO TROPICAL DEPRESSION

MANILA — Storm Queenie, which is in the far east of Davao City, weakened into a tropical depression Tuesday morning, PAGASA said.

Tropical depression Queenie is now packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and up to 55 kph gusts.

The state weather bureau said light to moderate with at times heavy rains are likely to hit Caraga and Davao Oriental due to Queenie, warning that flooding and landslides are possible.

PAGASA also said that because of Queenie's weakening, it was unlikely that they would raise wind signals in the eastern portion of Caraga and in some areas in Eastern Visayas.

"Due to unfavorable environment conditions, this tropical cyclone will continue to weaken and may become a remnant low within 12 hours," it added.

Queenie was 490 kilometers east of Davao City at 10 a.m., moving westward slowly.

Tropical cyclone Paeng last week tore through many areas in the Philippines with floods and tropical-storm-force winds, leaving at least 100 dead, according to the national disaster agency.

Just over half of the fatalities were from a series of flash floods and landslides that destroyed villages in Mindanao last Friday.

PRESIDENT PUTS 32 AREAS UNDER COVID ALERT LEVEL 2

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has placed 32 areas under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 from November 1 to 15, the Department of Health said on Monday.

Some 89 out of 121 provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities, on the other hand, including the whole of Metro Manila, were placed under Alert Level 1, the loosest of a 5-tier alert system.

“This means that our key indicators, such as the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR), are showing improvements. We attribute this development to every Filipino who continues to cooperate with our COVID-19 response,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.

“But while we see a continuous decline in case and admission trends, we must remember that de-escalation does not mean that the battle with COVID-19 is already over. These current numbers are not permanent; we must all work together to maintain these low numbers,” she added.

The following areas have been placed under Alert Level 2 from Nov. 1 to 15:

• For Luzon: Cordillera Administrative Region, Benguet, Ifugao, Calabarzon, Quezon Province, Mimaropa, Palawan, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, and Masbate;

• For Visayas: Western Visayas, Antique, Negros Occidental, Central Visayas, Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental, Eastern Visayas, Leyte, Northern Samar, and Western Samar; and

• For Mindanao: Zamboanga Peninsula, City of Isabela, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Northern Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, Davao Region, Davao De Oro, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Occidental, Soccsksargen, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Caraga, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Basilan, Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

Alert Level 2 allows face-to-face classes, dine-in services, religious gatherings, and personal care services, among others for fully vaccinated individuals at 50 percent of indoor venue capacity, the DOH said.

Meanwhile, the whole of Metro Manila and the rest of the country are under Alert Level 1.

Alert Level 1 allows all establishments to operate at 100 percent capacity, including other mass gatherings, but only for those with full vaccination status.

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DOH CONFIRMS 1,099 NEW COVID-19 CASES, 41 NEW DEATHS

MANILA — The Department of Health reported 1,099 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the country's total to 4,004,465 since the pandemic struck.

This is the third straight day that daily cases were below 1,500, ABS-CBN News Data Analytics Head Edson Guido said.

The DOH also recorded 41 deaths, raising the total to 64,074.

Active cases stood at 20,227, the lowest since July 17, Guido said.

The total number of those who recovered from the illness has reached 3,920,164.

Of the newly reported infections, 281 were from Metro Manila.

The positivity rate on Oct. 30 is 10.3 percent, Guido also said.

VACCINATION SITES PUT UP IN CEMETERIES

MANILA — The Caloocan government yesterday put up vaccination sites in cemeteries to coincide with the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

The vaccination sites were set up at Bagbaguin and Tala cemeteries in North Caloocan as well as the Serenity Memorial Gardens and Forest Park Cemetery.

Inoculation sites were also put up at the Sangandaan Cemetery, La Loma Cemetery and Eternal Gardens in South Caloocan.

The local government has no data yet on the number of people vaccinated as of last night. The vaccination lasted until 6 p.m. yesterday.

Caloocan Mayor Along Malapitan visited the Sangandaan and La Loma cemeteries yesterday as he instructed the management to ensure the safety of cemetery-goers.

Malapitan assured his constituents of police visibility in the cemeteries.

CALABARZON WARNED VS POST-FLOOD DISEASES

MANILA — Residents of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), especially those living in areas recently hit by floods, have been advised to take precautions against water and food borne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue or “WILD.”

Several areas in Calabarzon, particularly Cavite were hit by floods over the weekend due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

Ariel Valencia, chief of the Calabarzon health office, said these so-called WILD diseases are likely to surge during typhoons.

“The public should watch out for these diseases, especially those who are in evacuation centers. The rain and cold weather can cause colds, cough and fever, which can easily transmit from one person to another,” Valencia said.

He advised the evacuees to follow the protocol in controlling infection in evacuation centers.

“Handwashing, proper disposal of masks and physical distancing should be observed. Inform officials of evacuation centers immediately if you have symptoms of these diseases,” Valencia said.

Floodwaters cause cholera, leptospirosis and hepatitis-A as well as vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, Valencia said.

MAKABAYAN BLOC WANTS DISCOUNTED, FREE FUNERAL SERVICES FOR POOR

MANILA — In time for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Makabayan bloc is pushing for the approval of House Bill 5753, which will grant free or discounted funeral services to indigent and extremely poor families.

HB 5753, authored by House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, stated that in the Philippines, “dying has become as costly as living itself.”

“This is because most Filipinos already live lives of utter poverty and still die poor and indebted until the end. Funeral services generally are expensive, a stark and difficult reality confronting the large majority of impoverished Filipinos,” the bill said.

The measure proposes that mortuaries granting discounted or free services may seek reimbursement from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Also, local government units will have to waive fees and charges which include burial or interment permit, cremation permit, transfer permit, disinterment permit and the cost of the death certificate.

On the other hand, Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco is proposing the regulation of the sale of caskets by establishments to ensure the “availability of affordable decent caskets.”

In filing HB 102, Frasco said caskets have become very expensive, “hence an added burden to the grief-stricken families, not to mention the indigent and extremely poor.”

Depending on materials used, coffins cost around P5,000 to P110,000.

Frasco is proposing that all funeral establishments “at all times maintain available decent caskets with a price of not more than P20,000.”

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

AMAZON PRIME REVIEW: CRISTINE REYES, XIA VIGOR SHOW RESTRAINT IN 'WEDDING DRESS'

Wedding dress designer Joan (Cristine Reyes) raised her daughter Sarah (Xia Vigor) as a single mother after her husband died at a young age. They had frequent dinners together with her brother Jun (Jeffrey Hidalgo), his wife Heidi (Lara Morena) and their children. Joan had tension with another sister, Mean (Andrea del Rosario), who blamed Joan for the death of their mother who did not approve of Joan's choice of husband.

Sarah dropped out of ballet class because she was being bullied by her former best friend Gina (Phoebe Villamayor in full-on Gladys Reyes mode), and chose to take up martial arts instead under coach Gio (McCoy de Leon). Even if she did not have friends, Sarah did not mind because she believed that she will always have her mother on her side. However, Joan already knew that her time with daughter would not be too long anymore.

This Viva movie is yet another Filipino adaptation of a Korean film, after "The Housemaid," "A Hard Day" and just very recently "Always." Again, there was already a ready story formula which they simply had to follow for sure box office success. The melodramatic plot and conflicts of "Wedding Dress" (2010) were actually quite universal, so this was something a Filipino writer could have come up with on their own, but did not.

Cristine Reyes and Xia Vigor certainly had their characters wrapped around them. In sharp contrast to their last screen roles -- Reyes as a politician's assertive daughter and Vigor as a spirited girl smuggled into prison -- both of them were very quiet and restrained here as introverts who would rather suffer in silence. The all-important believable chemistry as mother and daughter was there, with that formal dance scene showing it best.

The way the drama was built up by director Dado Lumibao, the climactic mortal moment did not exactly have the tear-jerking effect it was supposed to have anymore, providing no satisfying catharsis for me. Perhaps, there were so many distracting side threads being woven into the mix (like that karate thing or even the wedding gown itself), or maybe I had been steeled and ready for that sad ending since very early on in the film.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity. - Louis Pasteur