NDRRMC: P1.2 B relief packs, funds on standby as ‘Ambo’ threatens PH

MANILA, Philippines — Relief assistance in cash and kind have been placed on standby as tropical depression “Ambo” threatens the eastern sections of the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has set aside P1.2 billion worth of relief — 412,238 family food backs worth P179 million, P780 million worth of other food and non-food  and P244 million standby funds.

“These shall be augmented when the need arises. All transport logistics assets for hauling or relief resources are ready,” the NDRRMC said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has also disseminated warnings to the local government units to be affected by “Ambo”.

Ambo was last spotted 285 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph.

It was moving north northwest at 15 kph.

The state weather bureau said it is expected to intensify into a tropical storm within the day.

Signal No. 1 may be raised over Eastern Visayas.

In the next 24 hours, the trough or extension of Ambo will bring scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rain showers and thunderstorms over Mindanao.

GSG