THE number of missing and feared dead from floodwaters that devastated Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City at the height of tropical storm “Sendong” dramatically jumped to 1,079 yesterday from a measly 51 on Thursday as police, military and civilian authorities pressed their grim search for more bodies.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDR RMC) said they have also recorded a total of 1,080 deaths and 1,979 others injured. Since last Saturday, 442 people have been rescued.

Six days after the floodwaters struck the two cities, disaster officials feared that more bodies would be washed ashore or found under fallen trees, mud, rivers and debris.

NDRRMC chair Undersecretary Benito Ramos also placed the amount of damages to infrastructure and agriculture at P1.3 billion. As of yesterday, 13,090 families composed of nearly 49,000 persons are still cramped inside different evacuation centers in the two cities while another 49,000 families consisting of around 267,000 people are still outside government shelters.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome said he has ordered his men to step-up their search, rescue, relief and retrieval operations in areas ravaged by “Sendong.” Bartolome said their operations will continue even on Christmas Day and until the situation returns to normal.

Bartolome also said that appropriate honors and promotion will be given to Inspector Charlito Penuliar and Senior Police Officer 1 Charlon Edrote who were both swept away by rampaging waters last Saturday and drowned. He added that awards will also be given to all members of the police force including the members of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams from the PNP Crime Laboratory and the Health Service who have been braving the stench of death in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City since last Saturday in search of more victims.

“This should not dampen the spirit of our policemen. This is a reality in the police service where our lives are always at risk particularly in situations like this,” Bartolome said.