by MA Loterte and NH Mediavillo

Legazpi City (4 November) -- Albay province has achieved anew a "zero-casualty" but at least 12 people died in the northern provinces of the region in the wake of typhoon 'Santi', the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) reported Sunday.

Lieutenant Darwin Nieva, RDCC Bicol regional spokesman, stated that a total of 12 deaths were reported as of 10:00 pm Saturday from the provinces of Camarines Norte, with 11 fatalities, and one in Catanduanes.

Nieva said RDCC would still account for other unreported casualties in other parts of the affected provinces and that would also include surveys on the damages to infrastructures and people's properties as well as the agricultural crops.

Albay, on the other hand maintained its zero-casualty with preparations even though 'Santi' did not pass through the province because the residents still have to be very vigilant against volcanic eruption which is sometimes too quick to happen unlike typhoons that could be detected earlier.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said, "Preparations are in place at all times with Santi and Mayon combined and we would not be taking things for granted to maintain the zero-casualty plan from whatever calamity."

Albay had evacuated more than 10,000 residents from the flood-prone areas as part of the province's pre-emptive evacuation efforts.

Meanwhile, at least 1,481 houses were totally damaged and 4,276 partially damaged in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Agriculture and infrastructures suffered some P35 million damages based on the initial findings of the RDCC as of 10pm of Saturday

Hardest hit in Camarines Norte was Paracale with 1,236 houses totally damaged followed by Siruma, Camarines Sur with 88 houses totally damaged, based on the report of the RDCC as of Sunday morning.

The total for the two provinces was 1,481 and partially damaged 4,276. Catanduanes had totally of 24 while 287 partially damaged houses.