The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 aircraft lands at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City Saturday, October 26, to provide airlift support in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy: PTV Facebook)
MANILA, (PIA) — At least four Southeast Asian nations have mobilized humanitarian assistance for the Philippines, as the death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine climbed to 81 on Saturday, with over 4.2 million people affected across the country, based on monitoring by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia are sending aid, including air assets for relief distribution, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno announced at a forum in Quezon City.
The Singaporean Ministry of Defense (MINDEF), on its website, confirmed the deployment of a C-130 transport aircraft to support humanitarian efforts.
“The SAF’s contributions underscore the warm bilateral and defense ties between Singapore and the Philippines,” the Singaporean Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The NDRRMC also reported that at least 66 people were injured and 34 missing. Nearly half a million citizens displaced.
Infrastructure damage has reached P203 million ($3.6 million), primarily affecting schools. Agricultural losses total P87.53 million ($1.5 million), affecting over 3,000 farmers and fisherfolk across 1,600 hectares.
Moreover, flooding affected 547 areas across 13 regions of the Philippines. The affected regions include:
- Metro Manila
- Ilocos Region
- Cagayan Valley
- Central Luzon
- Calabarzon
- Mimaropa
- Bicol Region
- Western Visayas
- Eastern Visayas
- Zamboanga Peninsula
- Soccsksargen
- Caraga
- Bangsamoro Region
Meanwhile, during a situation briefing in Naga City in the Bicol Region Saturday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered a review of the Bicol River Basin Development Program, citing unprecedented rainfall “double that of Ondoy in 2009.”
“The conditions are different now with climate change,” Marcos said, announcing that civil works on an updated flood control system are expected to begin by late 2025.
Eighty-three municipalities have declared a state of calamity.
While no areas remain under cyclone warning signals, officials warn that Kristine’s trough may still trigger rainfall in affected regions. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
