Marcos Jr. expresses sorrow as Typhoon Tino claims 224 lives

National

“WE are very, very sorry.”

These were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s words as he faced the devastating impact of Typhoon Tino, which has claimed 224 lives, left 135 people missing, and affected over two million residents across the Visayas and Mindanao.

During a briefing at the Cebu Capitol, Marcos expressed deep sorrow over the high casualty figures, noting that authorities had prepared for a storm surge but instead encountered flash floods that swept away many victims due to the size and speed of the waters.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, together with local governments, reported Cebu with the highest fatalities at 139, followed by Negros Occidental with 53, Negros Oriental with 16, Agusan del Sur with six, Capiz with three, and Southern Leyte with two.

Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Bohol, and Leyte each recorded one death.

Cebu also had the most missing persons at 79, followed by Negros Occidental with 55 and Negros Oriental with 17, while more than 90 injuries were reported.

Search and rescue operations continue, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines deploying K9 units to locate missing residents.

Of the 2.25 million affected, over 318,000 remain in 3,050 evacuation centers.

Over P11.1 million in food and non-food aid has been delivered to 90,507 families, with DSWD Field Office 7 coordinating 24/7 operations alongside the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Navy.

The typhoon damaged 9,585 houses across multiple regions and destroyed 3,260 classrooms in 535 schools, forcing class suspensions in more than 3,400 schools and affecting over 1.9 million learners and 80,000 staff.

The Department of Agriculture reported P83.78 million in agricultural losses, impacting 4,263 farmers and 2,842 hectares, and prepared over P216 million in crop inputs and P1.12 million in livestock and poultry feeds.

Marcos conducted an aerial inspection of Cebu and visited evacuation centers, directing the relocation of residents from no-build zones and announcing P10,000 in cash assistance for families whose homes were destroyed and P5,000 for minor damage.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined local officials in coordinating relief efforts, while the Department of Labor and Employment sent rapid response teams to assist displaced workers.

DOLE regional director Roy Buenafe emphasized that beyond statistics, the priority remains helping workers and families facing hardship, with Danao City, Compostela, and Liloan among the hardest-hit areas.

Several foreign governments and international organizations have offered support. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines sincerely appreciates international humanitarian assistance, with Timor Leste sending 120 engineers and firefighters for cleanup and rehabilitation.(MyTVCebu)