OCD: PH asking Asean partners for assets backing amid Kristine

Raging floodwaters in Tiwi, Albay due to storm Kristine (international name: Trami), October 23, 2024. – Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Director Edgar Posadas said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, October 24, 2024, that the Philippine government is already coordinating with neighboring countries for assistance in the distribution of aid to victims of Kristine. Photo from Tiwi LGU

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is already coordinating with neighboring countries for assistance in the distribution of aid to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said.

According to OCD Director Edgar Posadas, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has already spoken with Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Constance See, as well as officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei regarding the potential utilization of their assets to facilitate the aid distribution.

“[T]his is in consonance with the president’s guidance to probably try the air route to bring in more goods to the affected areas,” Posadas said in a Palace briefing Thursday.

READ: Kristine kills 7 persons, affects over 2 million people, says NDRRMC

“I think as we speak there is certain paperwork and documentation that have to be undertaken,” he added.

Posadas gave assurance that the government has sufficient aid for Kristine-hit areas but it might be a challenge to deliver them to some places considering the devastation of the severe storm on certain infrastructure.

READ: Pagasa: Heavy rainfall alert up in some Luzon areas due to Kristine

He said the government is just anticipating the challenges “so we’re already in coordination with them as part of our Asean cooperation.”

As of 8 a.m. on October 24, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Kristine already affected 2 million people nationwide as it received reports of seven deaths and seven missing individuals.