Gov't allots P42.352M relief funds for 'Pablo'

MANILA, Philippines - The government is setting aside P42.352 million for the families in areas that are expected to be devastated by typhoon "Pablo," which was forecast to make landfall on Tuesday morning in Surigao del Sur.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday that P3.7 million standby fund has been alloted for Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Caraga.

Another P38.65 million has been alloted for relief operations, including the distribution of food packs to the families who will be affected by the typhoon, particularly those who will be housed in temporary shelters.

Valte, meanwhile, said that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has placed all its unit on red alert status in anticipation of the typhoon's onslaught in Mindanao and Visayas provinces.

The typhoon was forecast to make landfall over Hinatuan town on Tuesday morning. It will cross several provinces in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon until Wednesday. It was forecast to start moving out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also has activated its quick reaction teams in the affected areas while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has put in place heavy equipment for possible road clearing operations, she added.

Valte said President Benigno Aquino III has directed concerned government agencies to immediately submit inventories of danger areas that would be affected by the typhoon.

She said some local government units in the affected areas already implemented "preemptive" evacuation.