ILOILO City – With its persistent rains and strong winds causing widespread distress as of noon on Friday, October 25, Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has impacted 38,659 families or 161,283 individuals across Western Visayas.
According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6, 1,319 families or 4,633 individuals still remained in evacuation centers, while 951 families or 3,514 individuals have sought refuge in barangay halls, or with relatives and friends.
Others have returned to their homes as Kristine was poised to exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). As of 11 a.m. yesterday, it was spotted at 255 km west borthwest of Bacnotan, La Union or 255 km west southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur in Luzon. Its maximum sustained winds remained at 95 km/h near the center, with gustiness of up to 115 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa.
A total of 62 cities and municipalities or 458 barangays in Western Visayas have reported damages, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 reported.
Panay Island and the northern portion of Negros Occidental were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 beginning Wednesday, October 23.
Here’s the breakdown of affected cities and municipalities by province:
* Aklan (10 cities/municipalities) – Banga, Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Madalag, Makato, Malay, Nabas, New Washington, Tangalan
* Antique (9) – Anini-y, Barbaza, Culasi, Laua-an, San Jose de Buenavista, San Remigio, Sibalom, Tibiao, Valderrama
* Capiz (3) – Maayon, Pilar, Roxas City
Iloilo (20) – Ajuy, Balsan, Banate, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Dingle, Dumangas, Lambunao, Maasin, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Enrique, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Zarraga
* Negros Occidental (17) – Bago City, Cadiz City, Cauayan, EB Magalona, Escalante, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Hinobaan, Ilog, Isabela, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Sagay City, Salvador Benedicto, Silay City, Sipalay City, Valladolid
* Bacolod City
* Iloilo City
Furthermore, 1,446 houses were reported damaged in the region, with 124 completely destroyed and 1,322 partially damaged.
In response to the calamity, DSWD has distributed P7,178,422 in assistance, including 7,877 Family Food Packs (FFPs) valued at P6,788,756 and 28 non-food items (NFIs) worth P389,666.
Additionally, local government units (LGUs) have also provided P1,245,696.60 in aid to the affected families.
Under the leadership of the newly appointed regional director, Arwin Om Razo, DSWD-6 has ensured that it has sufficient stockpile and standby funds totaling P144,189,699.01 ready for use during calamities.
The stockpile includes 108,728 FFPs worth P83,955,387.76; 34,742 NFIs valued at P57,224,311.26; and P3,000,000 in standby funds./PN
