Gov’t aid for typhoon victims reaches P1.1 billion, says NDRRMC

RELIEF EFFORTS The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributes family food packs to disaster-affected residents in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on Wednesday (Oct. 30, 2024). As of Sunday (Nov. 3), the government has already released aid amounting to P1.1 billion. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-Ilocos)

MANILA, Philippines — Government aid provided to victims of the recent tropical cyclones has reached P1.1 billion, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Sunday.

Citing data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the PCO said the assistance includes food and non-food items provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of the Civil Defense, local government units, and non-government organizations as of Nov. 3.

The DSWD released over 1,013,000 family food packs across regions affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon, the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways continues to clear roads, declog drainages, and clean culverts.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Multinational Coordinating Center and the Civil-Military Coordinating Center, on the other hand, conducted 58 humanitarian sorties in coordination with ASEAN countries in the Bicol Region and Batangas province via land, air and naval assets.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government issued guidance to local chief executives, regional directors, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection on precautionary measures against weather disturbances.

Kristine brought torrential rains and violent winds on Oct. 21 to 25, triggering widespread flooding and landslides, especially in the Bicol Region.

Days later, Leon battered Batanes province and other parts of northern Luzon.

Kristine and Leon affected a total of more than 2,200,000 families or 8,630,000 persons, the NDRRMC said.