MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday said he will visit the church building that collapsed in Itogon, Benguet when he visits Cordillera on Monday to assess Typhoon Ompong’s damage.
“There is an evolving story in Itogon, Barangay Ucab, 43 persons doon (there), nag-collapse ‘yung church (a church collapse),” Duterte said after he was informed about the incident while attending a situation briefing on the effects of ‘Ompong’ in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
“I will go there tomorrow (Monday),” he added.
Benguet was one of the areas severely-damaged by Ompong which hit northern Luzon on Saturday.
Aside from Tuguegarao, Duterte also visited Ilocos Norte on Sunday.
The President said he will also visit Baguio and other areas in Cordillera region.
Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Francis Tolentino, designated point person of Duterte on matters related to the typhoon’s impact, said at least 54 people were killed, many of them were due to landslides in Cordillera.
According to reports, authorities are still conducting search for 42 missing individuals. PNA-northboundasia.com