‘Urduja’ relief operations have started, says Roque

A family, forced to leave home due to heavy rains, shares a meal of rice and fish in a gymnasium in Sogod in Cebu on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. (Photo by JUNJIE MENDOZA / Cebu Daily News)

Relief operations for people affected by “Urduja” have started, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement issued on Sunday, Dec. 17, a day after the tropical storm made landfall in Eastern Samar.

The relief operations include the distribution of 368,000 family food packs worth P223 million, food and non-food items worth P393 million, and standby funds amounting to P245 million.

“Vital services, such as preparedness and response to disasters or calamities shall continue with their operations even during holidays,” Roque said.

The Department of National Defense, with the help of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and the Office of Civil Defense, is coordinating with the local governments in “closely monitoring any possible weather disturbances,” he added. /atm