Guihulngan city: A total of 247 individuals were evacuated in Guihulngan City and Bindoy town in Negros Oriental due to heavy rainfall from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7 (DSWD-7) is readying food packs to support the affected families, ensuring that relief efforts continue as needed.
According to Philippines News Agency, the evacuation involved 60 households in Guihulngan and 53 households in Cabugan, Bindoy, as reported by the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office. Local government units initially provided relief to the evacuees, but DSWD-7 confirmed its preparedness to supply additional family food packs if local resources are depleted. DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Lucero stated that relief packs are prepositioned in some areas of Negros Oriental to address immediate needs.
The storm also impacted residents of Apo Island, with the Dauin local government requesting 300 family food packs from DSWD-7. Although only seven houses were damag
ed on the island, the local economy, heavily reliant on fishing, was disrupted by the typhoon. DSWD-7 is also preparing to distribute relief goods in Sta. Catalina, Tanjay City, and Bais City, with beneficiary numbers still under validation.
In Guihulngan City, evacuees returned to their homes on Thursday after the weather conditions improved, marking a temporary respite from the storm’s impact.