Phl prepares relief funds for families to be displaced by typhoon Vinta

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government has prepositioned P92.35 million ($2.14 million) worth of emergency relief resources for families who could be displaced by Typhoon Krosa (locally known as Vinta), a senior government official said today.

According to state weather forecast agency, Krosa has intensified further and made landfall over the northern Cagayan area in northern part of the Philippines. The typhoon has a maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometer per hour and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

Public storm warning signals 3, 2 and 1 were hoisted in at least 16 provinces in northern Philippines.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Eduardo del Rosario said that of the total amount of prepositioned resources, P1.7 million ($39,443) came in the form of standby funds, P11.9 million ($276,102) for about 45,000 family food packs, and P78.75 million for other relief items.

All concerned government agencies have already been on alert, he said.

The NDRRMC Operations Center has been on red alert status to continuously monitor and disseminate weather bulletins and 24-hour public weather forecasts, he added.