The damage to agriculture and infrastructure caused by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” and Super Typhoon “Leon” further rose to P11.2 billion, affecting Bicol Region and other parts of Luzon as well as the Visayas and Mindanao.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday, Nov. 1, that around 7.9 million people were affected by the two weather disturbances, of which, 743,000 persons were displaced and staying in 1,980 evacuation centers.
The combined death toll due to Kristine and Leon remained at 150 but the number of missing persons increased by one, raising the total to 30.
The NDRRMC recorded P6.8 billion worth of damage to infrastructure while agricultural loss was pegged at P4.4 billion.
The biggest chunk of infra damage was reported in Bicol Region (Region 5) at P5 billion after it was struck by massive flooding and numerous landslides. It was followed by Central Luzon (Region 3) at P1 billion; Cagayan Valley (Region 2) at P256 million; Calabarzon (Region 4A) at P230 million; Central Visayas (Region 7) at P226 million; Ilocos Region (Region 1) at P150 million; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at P101 million; Soccsksargen (Region 12) at P15 million; and Mimaropa (Region 4B) at P12 million.
Bicol Region also incurred the largest agricultural loss at P2.8 billion. It was followed by Mimaropa at P736 million; Central Luzon at P316 million; Ilocos Region at P217 million; Eastern Visayas at P183 million; Calabarzon (Region 4A) at P75 million; Western Visayas (Region 6) at P39 million; CAR at P18 million; and Soccsksargen at P16 million.
Indonesian helicopters arrive
This developed as two military helicopters from Indonesia flew to the Philippines on Thursday, Oct. 31, to augment the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s ongoing humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) efforts.
An Mil Mi-17 cargo aircraft and an Airbus H-225M multipurpose aircraft from the Indonesian National Armed Forces arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, according to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
“With the arrival of these helicopters, the PAF's aerial relief capabilities are further strengthened, enabling more efficient delivery of much-needed relief supplies to remote and inaccessible areas,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.
Indonesia added to the growing list of neighboring countries that assisted the Philippines through the provision of aircraft. Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei also sent helicopters from their respective militaries.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reaffirmed its commitment to continuously provide relief assistance to areas affected by Kristine and Leon.
“Augmentation will continue. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive is clear: ensure sufficient food, water, and medical supplies for storm victims,” said OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.
He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned around two million food packs for the typhoon victims. The OCD is also distributing non-food items, such as hygiene kits while the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is sending materials to help victims repair their homes.
Storm victims whose houses were partially or totally damaged will receive P10,000 and P30,000, respectively, from the DHSUD, according to Nepomuceno.
Restoring power and internet connections in storm-stricken areas is also a top priority, he emphasized.