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THE death toll from Tyhoon Gener as of Tuesday has reach eight, while more than 28,000 families were evacuated.
Heavy rains brought about by the typhoon also forced the suspension of classes in some public and private schools in the country.
Benito Ramos, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director, said five of the eight fatalities drowned.
They are Ieyan Hayo, 28, of Ipan, Mariveles; Bernard Buzon, 35, of Tanay; Merly Datinguinoo, 45, of Gamao, Tingloy, Batangas; Ronald Necor, 35, of Pangalcagan, Bugasong, Antique; and Renante Cimafranca Jauculan Jr., 10, of Dipolog City.
The three others are Ernest Flores, 60, a passenger of MV Shuttle RORO 1, Teodoro Flores, 40, and Danieles Hipolito, who was electrocuted while crossing the bridge at Panapan 4, Bacoor, Cavite.
Weather forecasters said the typhoon was moving north northwest at the speed of 7 kilometers per hour (kph), enhancing the southwest monsoon.
They said it was expected leave the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday morning.
As of 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Gener was located at 210 kilometers east, northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds up to 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
Ramos said the typhoon has already affected 44,982 families, or 219,015 persons, in 265 barangays in 49 towns and 15 cities in 19 provinces in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 6, 7, 10 and National Capital Region.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development and local governments have provided at least a total of P1,032 million worth of assistance to the affected families.
The typhoon also closed to traffic seven road sections and 24 bridges in Cagayan, Isabela, Bataan, Zambales, Batangas, Palawan, Aklan, Camiguin, Benguet, Mountain Province, Apayao, Ifugao, Malabon and Valenzuela cities.
The NDRRMC said two dams, Ambuklao and Binga, opened their gate valves at 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively.
Ramos said at least three persons were injured due to the typhoon. They are Edgar Vecimo, chief cook of MV Shuttle RORO 1, Ezekiel Calubaguib and Rona del Ramos, who met with a motorcycle accident while passing along O-ong, Pitawan, Hingyon, Ifugao, owing to rockslides.
On the other hand, eight people, who were among those declared as missing earlier, have been rescued by the Coast Guard.
Four fishermen are still missing in Occidental Mindoro.
The NDRRMC also reported that at least 1163 houses have been partially or totally damaged.
(With Jessica Ayun)
