(Photo courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
MANILA – About 1,344 families have so far been displaced by Severe Tropical Storm Florita, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Wednesday.
In its latest situation report, the agency said the figure is equivalent to 4,646 individuals from 60 barangays (villages) in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera regions.
The NDRRMC noted that about 956 families are sheltered in 19 evacuation centers while the rest are staying with relatives and friends.
It also reported that 290 families or 1,013 persons from Ilocos and Cordillera were pre-emptively evacuated.
About PHP915,176.05 worth of food and non-food assistance has been provided to areas affected by "Florita" in Ilocos, Bicol, and Cordillera.
The NDRRMC has yet to release reports on damage to agriculture, infrastructures, and housing.
As this developed, the Philippine Army (PA) said its reservists in Cagayan Valley have joined the repacking and hauling of relief items to be distributed to families affected by “Florita” at the regional social welfare office warehouse in Barangay Ugac Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
"Reservists from the 201st Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion and the 201st Community Defense Center, 2nd Regional Community Defense Group assisted in the repacking and hauling of an initial 300 food packs that will be distributed to calamity-stricken areas in Cagayan Valley," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Wednesday.
Army units in the region have mobilized humanitarian assistance and disaster response teams to help families affected by floods or landslides due to the onslaught of “Florita”.
Meanwhile, three roads are closed to traffic in Cordillera and Cagayan Valley due to the effects of “Florita”.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Bureau of Maintenance said two national roads in Apayao and Mountain province and one in Isabela are not accessible to vehicles as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.
The roads in Cordillera are the Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road section in Namaltugan, Calanasan, Apayao due to road cut and soil collapse; and the Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Tue, Beto Section, Tue, Tadian, Mountain Province due to rock collapse.
Also closed to all types of vehicles is the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Road, Cabagan Overflow Bridge in Isabela due to high water elevation.
Meanwhile, the Luna-Bangar Road in La Union is flooded and not passable to light vehicles.
The DPWH's quick response teams have already installed warning signs and barricades along affected sections.
Clearing operations will resume once the weather is deemed safe for maintenance teams. (with Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
