Manila: The Philippine government is ensuring the swift delivery of essential non-food items to families affected by tropical cyclones Nando and Opong, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Saturday.
According to Philippines News Agency, as of posting time, the OCD reported that a total of 1,500 shelter repair kits, 500 tarpaulin sheets, and 200 family tents have been dispatched to the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection. The OCD emphasized their commitment to support communities in the aftermath of recent storms while preparing for any further weather disturbances.
More than 563,000 families were impacted by the combined effects of tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong, which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning. In a noontime situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated that at least 23,336 families, or 81,428 persons, were accommodated in 1,482 evacuation centers, while 17,098 families were assisted outside these centers.
In a radio interview, OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo highlighted that response efforts were concentrated on the hardest-hit provinces, including Masbate, Romblon, Eastern Samar, and both Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. Castillo mentioned that they are still assessing the full impact in Mimaropa due to the recent passage of the typhoon and noted the challenges in communication due to intermittent signal issues in some areas.
The NDRRMC reported 19 fatalities across the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas. As of the latest update, agricultural production losses were estimated at over 78,000 metric tons, amounting to approximately PHP914.8 million. Additionally, 7,490 passengers were stranded across eight regions, including Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga. Despite the disruptions, all airports nationwide remained operational.
