Singapore, Malaysia, other nations assist in Kristine relief operations

MANILA, Philippines — Military aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia have arrived in the country to assist in relief operations in areas devastated by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 cargo plane and a Eurocopter EC725 transport helicopter of the Royal Malaysian Air Force arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay on Saturday.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the arrival of the aircraft with Singaporean Ambassador Constance See, Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the aircraft will play a crucial role in bolstering the PAF’s ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in areas affected by Kristine.

Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said Saturday that Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have signified their intention to send their air assets to the country, which can help in transporting relief goods to communities affected by the onslaught of Kristine.

Meanwhile, Australia sent its “Bluey” emergency food truck to Camarines Sur. The truck can serve up to 800 hot meals per day to people displaced by the storm.

“This response is part of Australia’s long-standing partnership with @philredcross to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance,” Australian Ambassador HK Yu wrote on Twitter.

NFA rice arrives in Naga

Four trucks from the National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. carrying rice arrived yesterday in storm-devastated Naga as part of the government’s efforts to help communities affected by Kristine.

Last Friday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines has adequate rice supply despite the effects of Kristine. The Department of Agriculture (DA) was able to harvest about 60 to 70 percent of the rice crops more than a week before the storm hit the country, he added.

“Then we have Kadiwa trucks also in (Camarines Sur), we also have NFA rice ordered by the LGUs (local government units) being deployed as we speak. And to prepare for what is coming, we also instructed NFA to send additional rice above and beyond what was requested,” Laurel said during a briefing on the impact of Kristine at Malacañang.

The agriculture sector has sustained P1.4 billion worth of damage because of Kristine, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed. Some 5.7 million people or 1.4 million families have been affected by the storm.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), an initial 356 rice and vegetable farmers in two provinces affected by Kristine will receive aid from the DA.

Crisante Rosario of the DA-CAR Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said rice farmers in Kalinga and vegetable farmers in Apayao have been affected by the tropical storm, so far affecting 154 hectares of rice and vegetables areas.

An initial P17.5 million worth of damage was so far recorded, Rosario said, adding that they “are currently gathering data and information from (our) provincial coordinating offices on the effect of the typhoon.”

Shelter cash aid available

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) yesterday said shelter cash assistance for victims of Kristine in the Bicol region is ready for distribution.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the assistance would come from the agency’s Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP) and would be extended immediately to families whose houses were damaged.

Under the program, the DHSUD will provide cash assistance of P30,000 for victims whose houses were destroyed, and P10,000 for those with damaged residences.

DHSUD Undersecretary for disaster response Randy Escolango said that aside from the P15 million allocated initially for Region 5, particularly for Camarines Sur and Albay, assistance to other affected areas is also being processed by DHSUD.

Apart from the IDSAP, DHSUD’s key shelter agencies will implement a one-month moratorium on monthly amortization payments for typhoon victims who have outstanding housing loans.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) said as of yesterday, the storm’s damage to public schools nationwide has risen to over P3 billion. A situation report showed that about 861 schools sustained damage from flooding and landslides.

The number represents 2,700 destroyed classrooms needing reconstruction worth P2.7 billion, and 1,361 partially damaged classrooms that require major repairs worth P680 million.

Over 38,000 schools are still being used as evacuation centers.

Clearing operations in landslide-hit Albay

The Sorsogon provincial government has sent heavy equipment to help in clearing operations in Albay after a landslide occurred in the region.

According to the Sorsogon Public Information Office (PIO), the Provincial Engineers Office has sent heavy equipment to Barangay Burabod, Libon, Albay.

Senate President Francis Escudero has asked Sorsogon Gov. Edwin Hamor to aid neighboring provinces affected by Kristine.

Sorsogon’s PIO said the heavy equipment included 10 dump trucks, two backhoes, a loader and grader, water tankers, ambulances and mobile kitchens.

It added that Task Force Sorsogon started to provide relief goods and help residents stranded in their respective homes. The task force will stay in Albay until the clearing operation is finished.

Heavy traffic remains along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Mabolo, Naga City, as Milaor and San Fernando, Camarines Sur remain flooded.

Batangas gov blames DENR for flooding

In Batangas, Gov. Hermilando Mandanas has publicly criticized the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for failing to dredge the Pansipit River, a situation he says significantly contributed to the severe flooding across the province.

In a press conference held at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) office, Mandanas expressed his frustration with the lengthy processes required to conduct river dredging.

“There are so many requirements, permits and payments to the DENR just to dredge the Pansipit River,” the governor said in Filipino.

He emphasized that the flood damage could have been mitigated if the river had been cleared before the storm.

“Since (Taal) volcano erupted, Pansipit has been filled with earth. That’s why I’m calling on the DENR to start dredging the river to prevent further severe flooding,” Mandanas added.

Ako Bicol, Speaker lead Bicol relief operations

The Ako Bicol party-list, in partnership with Speaker Martin Romualdez, has launched an extensive relief and rescue operation across Bicol in the aftermath of Kristine.

Romualdez answered Ako Bicol’s call for aid by dispatching 20 rubber boats, outboard motors, and essential rescue equipment, which were delivered by a C130 military plane. The shipment included life vests, buoys, traction ropes and rope throwing bags to strengthen local rescue efforts.

“These tools were vital as we faced severe flooding that displaced thousands of our kababayans,” said Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. “We are deeply grateful for Speaker Romualdez’s prompt action.”

The rescue equipment was distributed to key agencies, including the Camarines Sur local government, the 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the PNP Maritime Group.

Ako Bicol also distributed over 18,000 food packs, with 12,218 provided in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and 5,793 sourced from Ako Bicol’s resources. The distribution reached 19 barangays, mainly in Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.

Additionally, 500 blankets and 2,000 modular evacuation tents were delivered to support displaced residents. Hot meals with clean water were also served to over 800 individuals, including 20 families in Malilipot, 500 individuals at Tabaco Port, and 642 people across various areas in Sorsogon.

As the storm exited the country, Ako Bicol mobilized heavy equipment, including bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks, to clear blocked routes like in Sagnay-Tiwi road, restoring vital access for relief operations.

Willie, Manila Teachers donate to Angat Buhay

Senatorial candidate and television game show host Willie Revillame joined forces with the Manila Teachers party-list in donating P3 million to typhoon relief efforts through the Angat Buhay Foundation of former vice president Leni Robredo.

Revillame and Manila Teachers personally went before Angat Buhay Foundation chairperson Robredo and handed her a check worth P3 million.

“It was at the height of the storm in Bicol when I and the Manila Teachers party-list decided to help our kababayans in Bicolandia,” Revillame said. “My mother is from Bicol, so the Bicolanos are close to my heart.”

Robredo expressed her gratitude to Revillame and the Manila Teachers party-list for their donation. “From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all those who answered our call for help. Maraming, maraming salamat po,” she said.

PNP chief commends officers

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil commended the bravery and dedication of police officers deployed during Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In a statement yesterday, Marbil highlighted police officers who showed acts of courage amid dangerous conditions.

“From wading through dangerous floodwaters to evacuate children to safety, to rescuing entire families trapped in their homes, their selflessness and bravery are beyond measure,” he said.

As Kristine battered parts of the country, the PNP said that they swiftly responded, leading rescue and relief efforts in the hardest-hit regions. More than 4,000 officers were dispatched to affected areas, providing essential support to communities in need.

In regions such as Bicol and Eastern Visayas, which were severely impacted by the storm, disaster response units were deployed alongside personnel and mobility assets to carry out large-scale rescue missions.

The PNP also worked closely with local authorities in Bacoor, Cavite, where teams rescued residents trapped by rising floodwaters.

Marbil also emphasized the ongoing efforts in Batangas, where landslides buried homes and endangered residents.

They said the PNP’s efforts have so far led to the safe evacuation of more than 300,000 individuals to temporary shelters.

Coast guard gets Starlink boost

Meanwhile, the PCG recently received 100 units of Starlink communication devices that would boost the maritime agency’s communications and response operations capability during times of disaster.

The PCG said in a statement that its Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan received the Starlink communication devices from Space Exploration Technologies Corp. or SpaceX, through technology solutions company DFNN’s chief operating officer, Donald Limcaco.

Admiral Gavan expressed his thanks to DFNN’s continuous support to the Coast Guard, and said that these devices would be useful in their disaster response operations and other initiatives.

The PCG was given a three-month subscription for the use of the satellite-based internet service Starlink devices. — Alexis Romero, Artemio Dumlao, Neil Jayson Servallos, Bella Cariaso, Evelyn Macairan, Mark Ernest Villeza, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rainier Allan Ronda, Arnell Ozaeta