By Tony Chavez
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) today reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing disaster response and early recovery efforts in light of severe Tropical Storm Kristine's impact on various regions across the country.
At a press briefing in Malacañang this morning, OCD spokesperson Director Edgar Posadas emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts with their regional operations centers in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, the Cordillera Autonomous Region, MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, and Eastern Visayas.
“Clusters in response are activated,” Posadas stated. “Kristine is still within the Philippine area of responsibility, and so there is no let-up; we continue to monitor and collaborate with the different agencies of the council.”
This announcement came as Posadas received reports indicating the “milder” effects of Kristine’s landfall in Isabela earlier today.
“I asked our regional director for Region II, and I was informed that the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) of Divilacan town, where Severe Tropical Storm Kristine made landfall just past midnight, reported that mas malakas pa daw kahapon yung ulan at hangin kaysa dun sa actual landfall (the rains and winds were stronger yesterday compared to the actual landfall),” Posadas noted.
No casualties have been reported in Isabela, according to the OCD official.
In the Bicol region, which has faced significant challenges due to Kristine, flooding remains a pressing concern for rescuers.
“Water levels remain high,” he remarked, particularly in Naga and several other municipalities in Camarines Sur. “There is an upcoming reinforcement from the Southern Luzon Command, both in personnel and equipment and concurrently, less affected regions will also be assisting.”
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who attended the briefing, reiterated the government’s preparedness to manage the disaster and announced that family food packs are en route to the affected areas.
As of 8 a.m. today, the OCD reported seven fatalities, four injuries, and seven individuals missing as a result of Kristine. Flooding has been recorded in 143 areas, resulting in 17 landslides.
Over two million individuals have been impacted nationwide, and approximately 51,000 affected families are currently residing in evacuation centers and other facilities.
According to the 11 a.m. bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Kristine's eye was observed in the vicinity of Aguinaldo, Ifugao.
The storm is moving westward at 20 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gusts of up to 115 kph. The cyclone is forecast to traverse northern Luzon over the next 12 hours and may emerge over the waters west of the Ilocos region this afternoon.
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