Helicopters will be used to facilitate the immediate transport of government aid in isolated areas due to "Typhoon Carina", Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. said on Friday, July 26.
During a situation briefing on the impact of Carina led by President Marcos Jr. at the municipal building of San Mateo, Rizal, Abalos vowed to coordinate with the Department of National Defense (DND) for the use of the helicopters in bringing food, medicines and other essential needs of typhoon-stricken families in isolated areas in Calabarzon (Region 4A).
Abalos added that portable water purification systems can also be brought to these areas in backpacks, relieving concerns over the lack of safe drinking water in hard to reach places in the region.
This, as Marcos expressed deep concern over the plight of the affected residents in secluded places.
Abalos cited the 142 local chief executives (LCE) in the Calabarzon for being "present" and for leading in the rescue and relief operations in their respective areas of responsibilities during the onslaught of Carina.
As of 5 a.m. Friday, Abalos said that 1,466 families or 6,255 individuals were evacuated in Rizal province due to the continuous heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and Carina.
In detail, Abalos said that evacuated were 90 families (331 individuals) in Angono, 24 families (105 individuals) in Antipolo City, 35 families (180 individuals) in Baras, 24 families in Binangonan (105 individuals), 30 families (118 individuals) in Cainta, five families (15 individuals)in Cardona, 21 families (85 individuals) in Morong, seven families (31 individuals) in Pillia, 795 families (3,665 individuals) in Rodriguez, 306 families (1,253 individuals) in San Mateo, one family (two individuals) in Tanay, 114 families (321 individuals) in Taytay and 15 families (38 individuals) in Rizal.
Abalos said there were 10 reported fatalities in Calabarzon: four in Agoncillo and one in Nasugbu, Batangas; one in Kawit, Cavite; one in San Mateo and two in Rodriguez, Rizal; and one in Panukulan, Quezon.
There were also 12 reported missing persons in the region: 10 in Imus, Cavite; and one each in Cainta and San Mateo both in Rizal.
The DILG chief also told the President that the hardest hit areas in the region were San Mateo, Montalban, Cainta and Tanay in Rizal with around 3,227 families or about 13,000 individuals affected by the weather disturbance.
Marcos gathered the concerned national and local agencies as he continued to oversee and lead the government’s comprehensive relief efforts in areas affected by Carina.
The province of Rizal experienced widespread flooding and damages to livelihood and infrastructure after heavy downpours brought by the weather disturbances last June 24, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.
Local government units (LGUs) in Rizal declared a state of calamity particularly in the municipalities of Cainta, San Mateo, Taytay, Morong, Rodriguez and Angono due to the devastation lefy by Carina.