The government has allocated nearly P4.4 billion for relief operations following Tropical Storm Basyang, which battered Visayas and Mindanao. The Presidential Communications Office assured that aid is reaching affected areas. Around 467,000 people have been impacted, with 12 reported deaths under verification.
The Presidential Communications Office announced on Saturday that the government has allocated P4,397,068,881.14 for relief efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Basyang, citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This budget is split into P700,636,041.04 for the quick response fund and P3,696,432,840.10 for food and non-food items. Ready-to-eat food boxes have arrived in Iligan City for storm-hit communities.
The DSWD stated it prepositioned 3.5 million food packs nationwide and has sufficient relief items to support affected local governments. As of Friday, it provided over 9,800 food packs and more than 1,300 ready-to-eat food boxes to families in Northern Mindanao and Caraga, with total assistance costing P55.81 million as of Sunday morning.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that 132,000 families in Visayas and Mindanao have been affected, equivalent to 467,000 individuals across 850 barangays. Reported casualties from drowning or landslides have risen to 12, all pending verification. “Our casualties, which is saddening, have so far reached 12, and all of these reports are for verification and validation,” said OCD spokesman Junie Castillo in a radio interview.
A total of 445 houses were damaged, including 38 totally destroyed and 407 partially damaged. Assessments of infrastructure and agricultural damages are still being consolidated.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered evaluations of affected police facilities and personnel. “This will ensure effective supervision of post-disaster relief and rehabilitation operations,” he said. Initial reports indicate that communication lines and supply chains in regional offices remain operational. The PNP is fully mobilized for search, rescue, and relief to aid local governments, especially in evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon continues to affect most of Luzon, bringing rains to Cagayan Valley, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Aurora, Rizal, and Laguna, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. No low-pressure areas or tropical cyclones are being monitored.
