MANILA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the landslide in Naga City in the central Philippines has reached 22, a local official said on Friday.

Garry Cabotaje, the spokesman for Naga City government, expressed hope that more survivors will be rescued a day after the tragedy struck the mountainside community.

"We are still hoping that many villagers will be rescued today," Cabotaje told Xinhua in a telephone interview.

As of 12 midnight Thursday, Cabotaje said that 22 bodies have been recovered while nine survivors have been rescued.

The landslide occurred on Thursday morning, burying more than 50 houses.

Authorities blamed the landslide to heavy downpours that apparently loosened the soil, causing parts of the mountain to collapse.

According to the local media, the victims refused to leave the landslide sites despite the government's stern warning.