Kristine pounds Bicol, accelerates westward

MANILA, Philippines — Classes and office work were suspended, flights were canceled and power and water services were disrupted as Tropical Storm Kristine dumped heavy rains and caused torrential flooding in the Bicol region.

Three persons were missing and another was injured as Kristine cut across the country and accelerated westward, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.

There have been no reports of deaths, the NDRRMC said, as disaster response and rescue teams continue to monitor the situation in various provinces.

Before even making landfall, Kristine (Trami) has affected 77,910 families or 382,302 people in the Bicol region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Of the number, the NDRRMC said at least 3,095 families or 12,334 people have been brought to 306 different evacuation centers.

With floods and overflowing rivers rendering various roads and bridges unpassable, a total of 4,753 passengers are stranded in the Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas.

The NDRRMC said 703 rolling cargoes, 26 vessels and 13 motor bancas were also reported stranded in the same regions where power outages and interruptions have likewise been reported.

During a situation briefing held by President Marcos at the NDRRMC headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, the Chief Executive acknowledged the logistical challenges posed by the flooding, stating that while Bicol remains submerged, “we will go in” as soon as roads are cleared.

Malacañang suspend classes and government work in Bicol.

About P411 million worth of financial assistance were mobilized yesterday by Speaker Martin Romualdez to victims of typhoon Kristine across the hardest-hit 22 legislative districts.

Romualdez has facilitated the request for the immediate release of P390 million in cash aid, to be distributed to 22 districts affected by the typhoon in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa, as well as through four party-list representatives.

Gabonada said a separate relief mission is also being prepared by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

Kristine intensifies

Meanwhile, Kristine has strengthened into a severe tropical storm as it was about to make landfall in Isabela overnight, with tropical cyclone wind signal No. 3 raised.

Signal No. 3 was raised over Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, central portion of Abra, Benguet, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central portions of Aurora, northern portion of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, La Union and the central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur.

TCWS No. 2 was raised over Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Apayao, rest of Abra, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, rest of Aurora, rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Signal No.1 was raised over Batanes, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands.

EDCA sites mobilized for relief

The sites designated for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US will be activated for the deployment of foreign military assets that will conduct humanitarian efforts in areas affected by Kristine.

During a meeting on the effects of the storm in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the US is ready to send in their aircraft through the sites dedicated to EDCA, a deal that grants American troops access to Philippine bases.

In another development, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando has ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in the province today, both in public and private. Work in both government offices and the private sector were also suspended.

Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III has also declared the suspension of classes in all levels in the province as well as work in government offices

Several Luzon dams started to release water yesterday — Bella Cariaso, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Cesar Ramirez, Artemio Dumlao, Rudy Santos, Evelyn Macairan, Emmanuel Tupas, Delon Porcalla, Gilbert Bayoran, Daphne Galvez, Alexis Romero, Romina Cabrera