Workers unload supplies at an evacuation center for those affected by Super Typhoon Pepito in San Vicente town, Camarines sur province on November 17, 2024. Pepito slammed into the Philippines' most populous island on November 17, with the national weather service warning of flooding, landslides and huge waves as the storm swept across the archipelago nation. Charism Sayat, AFP

MANILA — At least one person has reportedly died due to the effects of Typhoon Pepito in Camarines Norte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday.

“We have been monitoring Pepito all night. Unfortunately, I am sorry and saddened to report that mayroon tayong casualty na isa sa Camarines Norte. We know my feelings about that, that one casualty is a casualty too many, so that is unfortunate,” Marcos told reporters in Malacañang.

Camarines Norte experienced heavy rains and strong winds as Typhoon Pepito battered the Philippines this weekend. 

Pepito uprooted trees, brought down power lines, and smashed flimsy houses to pieces after making its first landfall late Saturday on lightly populated Catanduanes island in the typhoon-prone Bicol region.

‘We are calling for help,’ says officer in Pepito-ravaged Catanduanes

With the worst of the typhoon over, Marcos said the government would continue relief and rescue efforts in areas hit by Pepito.

“We will now carry on with the rescue of those isolated areas, and continuing relief for those who have been displaced and have no means to prepare their meals and no water supplies. Yung ating relief na ating ginagawa,” he said.

“Rebuilding will also start as well.”

Marcos thanked responders and government workers who rendered service as typhoon Pepito lashed through the Philippines over the weekend.

“Kailangang pasalamatan natin lahat ng mga responder, lahat ng mga LGU, lahat ng nagtrarabaho, na pang-anim na nila ito. I am sure that they are exhausted, I am sure that they have done, that they continue to do, to work as hard as they can,” he said.

The Philippine leader also thanked Filipinos for heeding government bulletins, which he said minimized the effects of the typhoon.  

“Kaya ako’y nagpapasalamat sa kanila at sa taong bayan din. Sila ay tumutulong hangga’t kaya at sinusundan naman ng ating mga bulletin tungkol sa kung anong kailangang gawin kaya kahit papaano sa lakas ng Pepito, hindi kasing sama ng kinakatakutan, it wasn’t as bad as we feared.”

Heavy rains still possible as Pepito moves away from Luzon

Marcos also called on Filipinos to think of those affected by recent typhoons during the upcoming holiday season and share some of their Christmas gifts to typhoon victims.

“Sana pagdating ng Pasko, tayong mga Pilipino alalahanin naman natin ang mga kababayan na sinasalanta. Kahit papaano sana, yung ating gawing pamamasko, ipamahagian natin sa kanila, kawawa naman at naghihirap,” he said.

— With a report from Agence France-Presse