TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) chair Gov. James S. Edduba assured that relief assistance is ready for families affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine in the province.
As of 5:00 pm of Oct. 24, 2024, the PDRRMC recorded a total of 425 families or 1,474 individuals who were evacuated in Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Rizal, and Tabuk City mostly due to risk of being flooded. The evacuees were provided immediate assistance.
“Ada dagiyay prepositioned goods kadagiyay mun-munisipyo so, we allow the municipalities to conduct their own assistance to families in evacuation centers and [those] who are not in evacuation centers,” Edduba said.
“We have instruction nga nu maibusan dagiyay prepositioned goods kadagiti munmunisipyo ada ti available dituy province. Ada iti 6,000 packs nga naka-preposition dituy regional warehouse. Nu ada man dagiyay munisipyo nga ag-kailangan automatically mabalin tayo agitulod kanyada,” he added.
With Kalinga still under Tropical Wind Signal No. 2 on Oct 25, the PDRRMC remains on red alert. Edduba said they continue to monitor the Chico River which has risen due to rains brought by STS Kristine.
“So far, ti kunan ti NIA ken DPWH, nu agtultuluy daytuy tudu, nu makita da nga mareach diay alert level, they will warn the CDRRM and barangay officials iti low-lying barangays ti Tabuk City,” the governor said.
Edduba urges everyone to remain cautious, follow safety protocols, and cooperate with local authorities.
Based on the PDRRMC report as of 5:00 pm of Oct. 24, Kristine’s initial estimated cost of damages to infrastructure is P13.9 million and partial damages to 127 hectares of rice and high-value crops worth P3,602,252. It also partially damaged 22 houses including nine in Lubuagan, three in Tinglayan, seven in Pasil, and three in Balbalan.
One individual was reported injured in Pasil. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
