Knee to waist-deep flood at V.Mapa in Sta.Mesa Manila. #MarioPH. TWITTER PHOTO/Nestor Corrales
MANILA, Philippines—Over 400,000 people have been affected by Tropical Storm “Mario” as its heavy rains caused floods that swamped Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Based on the latest tally, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman said that 94,747 families or 436,539 persons have been displaced by the storm.
In a media briefing Friday at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Soliman said that as of 10 a.m., some 25 evacuation centers were set up by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units to accommodate 1,276 families or 6,406 persons.
Some 91,531 family packs and P35 million in standby funds are ready for distribution and disbursement, she said in the briefing prsided by Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas.
But the secretary assured that more evacuation centers would be opened within the day.
Roxas said police and military augmentation forces were also deployed for rescue and relief operations and to maintain peace and order in the affected areas.
In Metro Manila alone, 2,174 policemen were deployed, Roxas said.
Roxas, also the NDRRMC vice chairman, urged residents in Metro Manila to stay alert.
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