LUCENA CITY, Quezon – The town of Tagkawayan in this province has declared a state of calamity after it incurred damages due to severe tropical storm “Kristine.”
About 9,000 families or 30,000 individuals in this province were evacuated due to flooding caused by the tropical cyclone.
Gov. Helen Tan said a portion of the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Canda, Lopez town going to Bicol region is impassable because of flood water more than a meter deep, As a result, many vehicles were stranded, she said.
Relief items continue to be distributed to evacuees.
"The provincial government and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office staff work round-the-clock to provide relief packs to our distressed citizens. More than 20,000 food packs were distributed to evacuees," the governor said.
Other towns that experienced severe flooding that reached the second floor of houses were Calauag, San Narciso, San Francisco, General Luna, Buenavista, and Lopez.
The Tayabas City government led by Mayor Lovely Reynoso-Pontioso has distributed assistance to evacuees in different barangay halls.
General Luna evacuees were sheltered at Bulwagan May Puso and provided assistance by the local government led by Matt Erwin Florido.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 4-A has advised motorists to take extra precautions while traversing the Maharlika Highway from Atimonan, Quezon, to Calauag, Quezon, due to flooding and potholes caused by Kristine.
The DPWH 4-A said that maintenance crews are conducting rectification and clearing activities.