MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cleared his schedule Wednesday, October 23 to lead the coordination of rescue and relief efforts as Tropical Storm Kristine displaced thousands across the Philippines.
Marcos will chair an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) at Camp Aguinaldo at 10 a.m., as the storm continues to threaten several regions, according to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar B. Chavez.
The NDRRMC reported that Kristine, internationally known as Trami, has affected over 382,000 people nationwide, with nearly 13,000 displaced from their homes.
Around 12,334 individuals are currently housed in 306 evacuation centers, while 364 others are staying with relatives or friends, the NDRRMC said.
The disaster agency has documented 92 flooded areas across five regions, including Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
According to the state weather bureau, Kristine was last located 310 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 105 kph.
So far, the government has distributed about P170,000 pesos ($3,000) worth of assistance to affected communities.
The tropical cyclone is expected to continue affecting parts of the country in the coming days, with authorities maintaining heightened alert levels in vulnerable areas.
Officials also advised the public to listen to official channels and immediately evacuate to safer areas if there is a risk of flooding, storm surge or rain-induced landslides. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
