Bacolod city: The Philippine Army (PA) has mobilized its troops to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) missions in communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm Verbena. In a statement on Wednesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala stated that the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), through its 303rd Infantry Brigade, mobilized disaster response teams (DRTs) to assist in rescue operations in flood-prone barangays in Bacolod City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 4th Infantry Division deployed three teams composed of 25 personnel to Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte to help evacuate families in disaster-prone areas and conduct other HADR-related missions. In Talisay City and Compostela Valley, responders from the 53rd Engineer Brigade conducted preemptive evacuation of residents. "Army teams evacuated more than 200 living near waterways in the said areas ahead of the impact of (Verbena) on Nov. 24," Dema-ala said.

He further mentioned that 2,802 military personnel and Cafgu Active Auxiliary reservists were on standby, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, to deal with Verbena's impact. "Army units are closely coordinating with national government agencies and local government units for a swift and coordinated response to assist communities affected by the tropical depression," Dema-ala added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of Wednesday afternoon, 78,736 families, or 275,458 individuals, have been affected by Verbena and the rains caused by the shear line. As of the time of the NDRRMC report, 14,238 families were sheltering in 469 evacuation centers, while 8,087 families were being aided by relatives or friends. The weather disturbances also damaged 82 houses and destroyed 13 in three regions.