At least 150 homes in Tawi-Tawi lost to 'Marilyn'

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Officials are moving to provide relief services to hundreds of Tawi-Tawi residents who lost their homes last week to Tropical Depression Marilyn.

The Tawi-Tawi provincial disaster risk reduction and management council reported Tuesday that no fewer than 150 houses in Bongao, Simunul and Tandubas towns were destroyed by big waves and strong winds during the two days of bad weather last week.

Worst hit were coastal villages in Bongao, capital town of Tawi-Tawi, where 143 houses were damaged, according to the PDRRMC.

Provincial officials said the office of Tawi-Tawi’s governor is now attending to the needs of hundreds of displaced residents.

The provincial government has been distributing rice and other food provisions to residents who have been staying in makeshift shelters.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, local government minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the BARMM government will also extend help to the calamity-stricken Tawi-Tawi residents.