QUEZON CITY— Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno announced that the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has deployed its Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) to Naga to oversee the acceptance and distribution of relief goods for victims of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” in the region.
“A team has been deployed to Naga to manage the incoming relief supplies arriving from Villamor Air Base to Bicol International Airport. This team will also facilitate the distribution of these essential items to affected areas. The Office of Civil Defense serves as the logistics coordinator for all incoming relief supplies transported via aircraft,” said Undersecretary Nepomuceno.
Relief items are being sourced from various agencies and are currently being transported to the Bicol region for distribution across multiple provinces. This operation commenced on Sunday, utilizing aircraft from Malaysia and Singapore.
The relief items include kitchen kits, shelter repair kits, family food packs, medical supplies, and clean water.
To enhance response operations in the Bicol region, personnel from OCD regional offices have arrived in Naga City to provide additional support, including an augmentation of staff at the Emergency Operations Center and logistical assistance. Several regional offices have also contributed relief goods to the Bicol area.
Meanwhile, Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Operations, Asec. Hernando Caraig Jr., participated in a briefing with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Naga City regarding the impacts of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.” The briefing was followed by visits to several affected areas and evacuation sites to assess the situation.
The OCD has been conducting a series of coordination meetings with various government agencies to ensure effective response operations related to STS “Kristine.” (OCD)
