Tropical Storm “Kristine” lashed Bicol Region (Region 5), causing massive floods and rain-induced landslides that affected more than 380,000 individuals and left at least one person dead, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) disclosed on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
In a situational briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City, OCD Director Maria Agnes Palacio told President Marcos Jr. that Naga City bore the brunt of the storm where water levels reached neck-deep due to non-stop heavy rains.
The municipalities of Libon and Polangui in Albay province were also badly hit by the widespread floodings.
“Because of the massive flooding, water sanitation and hygiene would be affected specifically the ground water, and drinking water as well, and even water for domestic use. Food and non-foo-items (NFIs) would be needed in the coming days because of the evacuation that has happened in evacuation centers. FNIs especially shelter repair kits and also some of kitchen kits are needed,” Palacio said.
According to data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), a total of 382,302 individuals or 77,910 families were affected in 436 barangays in four regions: Bicol, Western Visayas (Region 6), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), and Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9).
Of this, more than 12,600 individuals or 3,100 families were displaced and temporarily staying at 306 evacuation centers.
At least one fatality has been confirmed after one person died when hit by a fallen tree in Palanas, Masbate.
Seven others were missing including three fishermen who ventured into the sea at the height of the bad weather in San Fernando, Masbate; three in Daanbantayan, Cebu; and one in Labo, Camarines Sur. Five persons were also injured: four in Northern Samar and one in Labo, Camarines Norte.
Eighty-eight areas were flooded in Regions 5, 6, 8 and 9 while two rain-induced landslides were reported in Region 5.
A state of calamity has also been declared in 18 cities and municipalities in Albay province due to the extent of damage by the storm.
Kristine also impaired the mobility in southern Luzon. A total of 93 out of 106 road sections were not passable in Regions 5, 8, 9, and Mimaropa (Region 4B). All of the 10 bridges in Region 5 were also not passable due to flood.
Meanwhile, 34 out of 34 affected seaports in Calabarzon (Region 4A), 4B, 5, Central Visayas (Region 7), and 9 were non-operational and have cancelled trips.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 5,434 passengers were stranded in various ports in Southern Tagalog, Northwestern Luzon, Bicol, Northeastern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Northeastern Mindanao, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas.
Thousands of households were also without electricity as 30 out of 36 affected local government units (LGUs) experienced power interruption in Regions 5, 8, and 9.
Meanwhile, there was no communication signal in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur.
The OCD said that 57 houses were also damaged: 49 were partially damaged while eight were completely destroyed.
Rescue operations left and right
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) teams in Bicol and other nearby regions to rescue residents who were surprised by the sudden rise of floodwaters overnight.
Two residents were rescued by the Coast Guard District Bicol after a landslide hit Sitio Libas, Barangay Maguiron, Guinabatan, Albay early Wesnesday morning. They were identified as Leonida Orfano, 79, and Justine Condino, 16. They were brought to Jose Belmonte Duran Provincial Hospital for further medical assistance.
More than 50 residents, including 23 children and a baby, were also evacuated by personnel of the Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Vinzons in Barangay Calangcawan Norte, Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
At least 15 individuals, including six children, were evacuated by the (CGS) Camarines Sur in Brgy. Maycatmon Milaor, Camarines Sur when their homes were swept away by floodwaters.
The Coast Guard Station (CGS) Ilocos Norte also evacuated 124 families in Barangay 37-A Casilian, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte while personnel of the Deployable Response Team (DRT) Guinobatan rescued a 43-year-old woman and her two children amid flooding in Brgy. Calzada, Guinobatan, Albay.
The PCG also evacuated 22 residents who were stranded in Barangay 16, Cabangan, Legazpi City after neck-deep flood hit the community before dawn Wednesday; and assisted in rescuing residents affected by flood in Barangay Danicop, Virac, Catanduanes and Brgy. Aquino, Bulan, Sorsogon.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF), through Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 5, also assisted 76 stranded individuals in Albay.
Disaster Response Task Units (DRTUs) were also deployed along with a KM-250 vehicle to ensure the safe transport of affected individuals from Ayala Mall in Legazpi City to the Daraga Covered Court Evacuation Area, where they received essential shelter and assistance.
In further support of ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the region, two Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) teams from the PAF’s 505th Search and Rescue Group, equipped with rubber boats, were deployed to respond to emergency operations in the hardest-hit communities.
The Philippine Army (PA) also marshalled its disaster response units and rescue assets to assist communities that were affected by the in Northern Luzon.
The 5th Infantry Division (5ID), whose area of responsibility covers the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and parts of the Ilocos Region, readied 186 HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster response) teams composed of 881 soldiers, reservists and CAFGU Active Axuiliaries (CAA) members.
Moreover, 5ID also prepared three rubber boats and 88 land assets which include military trucks, ambulances and pickup trucks for logistics purposes.
The 525th Combat Engineer Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment also placed on alert two light Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams composed of 40 personnel to respond to any flooding incident in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
Meanwhile, the 7th Infantry Division (7ID) which covers Central Luzon and parts of Ilocos Region; 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) which covers the Southern Tagalog Region and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque and Romblon; and the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) which covers Eastern Visayas also placed its emergency response companies and disaster response units on standby amid the threat posed by the storm.
Call for international assistance
Due to the impact of Kristine, the national government has called on international partners to help in mobilizing assets for deployment of food and other relief items to the affected communities.
Palacio said the leadership of the OCD and NDRRMC have already given some kind of additional guidance “to seek or somewhat consider the request for international assistance for augmentation on logistic requirements especially for transport.”
This was confirmed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary and NDRRMC Chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“I instructed our staff to make estimates on possible effects of the rain in the coming days. We have the available assets for lift capabilities as of this time. However, in the exercise of caution, we are planning to things to foresee the effects in the coming days,” Teodoro said.
“In the aftermath of the Disaster Risk Convention, we are coordinating with ASEAN neighbors… I have talked to Singaporean Ambassador [Constance See] to marshal their capabilities for airlift and other manpower assistance that they can pitch in and we will talk to our traditional partners in anticipation of airlift needs and other rescue needs,” he noted.