LEGAZPI CITY –- The death toll from flashfloods and landslides in Bicol which was caused by three weeks of continuous rains has risen to 20 confirmed dead, 3 injured and 3 still missing, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported yesterday.

        OCD-Bicol chief Bernardo “Raffy” Alejandro said the casualties were five from Albay, 6 from Camarines Sur, 8 from Magallanes, Sorsogon and 1 from Camarines Norte.

        In Albay, Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chairman, reported that a total of 65,759 families have been affected by flashfloods and 15,000 families have been evacuated to evacuation centers during the calamity.

        At least 22 barangays from 11 cities and municipalities have been affected by landslides in the province of Albay, the governor said.

        He identified the hardest hit municipality as Manito which was hit by seven landslides and one spillway damaged. As a result of the landslides, the 42-km Legazpi City-Manito road has been rendered impassable.

        Salceda identified the other municipalities hardest hit by floodwaters as Libon, Oas and Polangui in the third district of Albay.

        The calamity has damaged 2,976 hectares of ricelands and 1,723 hectares of cornlands. Damage to agriculture has been placed at P74,186,178.70 while damage to irrigation has been estimated at P99,850,000.

        Damage to infrastructure has been placed at P220,350,100 while damage to roads and bridges in the province has been placed at P120,500,100.

        To clear the impassable roads like the Legazpi-Manito road, Salceda had sought the assistance of the Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army.

        Earlier, last Feb. 21, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay passed a resolution declaring the entire province under a state of calamity.

        As this developed, Salceda ordered the release of P12 million from the calamity funds to buy rice, sardines and noodles for the foodstuffs of the evacuees. However, only those from the hardest hit areas were given sardines and noodles, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said.