Masbate: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is deploying humanitarian assistance teams to provide needed support to Masbate and other areas devastated by tropical cyclone Opong.
According to Philippines News Agency, Masbate was the hardest hit by the onslaught of Opong, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense. The province was placed under a state of calamity on Saturday.
In a statement on Sunday, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced that Police Regional Offices of the affected regions, in coordination with local government units, will conduct mobilizations for post-disaster response. “I have already directed the RDs (Regional Directors) of the affected regions to mobilize humanitarian teams that will assist in post-disaster response to help our affected kababayan (fellow Filipinos) to get back on their feet,” Nartatez said. “From clearing debris to rebuilding communities, your PNP will be there to assist and be a strong partner in rebuilding the lives of those severely affected by the typhoon.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest data reveals that Opong affected 2,026,246 individuals or 520,165 families across 15 regions, 57 provinces, 504 cities/municipalities, and 4,219 barangays.
