QUEZON CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced the distribution of PHP163.8 million in humanitarian aid to regions impacted by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. The assistance includes food and non-food items, with the Bicol region receiving PHP69.23 million worth of supplies.
According to Philippines News Agency, Special Assistant to the Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group, Leo Quintilla, stated that 277,579 boxes of family food packs and over 7,000 non-food items have been delivered to the affected regions. The regions benefiting from the aid include the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Metro Manila, Cordillera region, and Caraga.
Quintilla highlighted that the DSWD had prepositioned over 2.1 million family food packs before the storm, with around 71,000 packs readily available in the Bicol region, allowing for swift distribution. Efforts are a
lso being made to provide potable water to displaced individuals in Bicol, with 700 gallons of water being transported by the Philippine Air Force.
The DSWD is introducing family filtration kits to evacuation centers, which can filter bacteria and produce 1,200 liters of clean water daily. Additionally, the agency is collaborating with local government units to support families with damaged homes and lost livelihoods, focusing on early recovery and rehabilitation.
Office of Civil Defense administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno reported that over four million individuals were severely affected by the storm. The estimated damage to agriculture exceeds PHP143 million, while infrastructure damage in the seven most affected regions has surpassed PHP200 million. Out of 447 affected roads, 265 remain impassable.