Gov’t ‘working around the clock’ for relief work due to ‘Nina’

Residents are assisted into a truck after the local government implemented preemptive evacuations at Barangay Matnog, Daraga, Albay province on December 25, 2016, due to the approaching typhoon Nina (int’l name: Nock-Ten). / AFP PHOTO

The government on Sunday assured that it was ready for disaster and relief operations as typhoon “Nina” pummels parts of the Visayas.

“Government workers in the Bicol region, particularly those involved in disaster relief and operations, are working round-the-clock even on Christmas Day as typhoon Nina maintains its strength and continues to pose a serious threat to Bicol region,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

As of 2 p.m., the state weather bureau said Nina intensified at 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 255 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the typhoon was last spotted at 150 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving westward at 15 kph.

Public storm Signal No. 4 was raised over Catanduanes while signal No. 3 was raised over Burias Islands, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, southern Quezon.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Masbate including Ticao Island, Sorsogon, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, rest of Quezon including Polillo Island, Marinduque, and Romblon.

Metro Manila, Rizal, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Southern Quirino, Southern Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac and Cavite were placed under Signal No. 1.

Thousands of residents were evacuated in the areas affected by the typhoon as 22 evacuation centers were designated in Bicol.

As of 12 noon, the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol said that 4,312 passengers have been stranded, while 36 barangays, 1,878 families and 8,708 persons have been affected.

The DSWD Bicol has provided 732 family food packs, 2,549 ready to eat meals, 1,585 malong, 885 plastic mats, 885 mosquito nets, 885 blankets and 585 dignity kits, amounting to P1,798,174.30 to 27 Local Government Units (LGUs). JE