THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday that residents in low-lying areas threatened by Typhoon Bising are being moved into safer areas as thousands have been stranded in various ports in Bicol and Visayas regions.
The NDRRMC, which is monitoring the effect of the typhoon, said 32 families or 136 persons were preemptively evacuated in Mapanas, Northern Samar.
Some 105 families or 340 individuals in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur were also moved to government-run evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC was waiting for detailed reports from affected provinces, especially in Bicol region where the provinces of Camarines Sur, Albay and Catanduanes are on alert against Bising.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that at least 1, 183 individuals, six vessels and 531 rolling cargo were stranded in various ports in the Visayas; while another 840 passengers and 285 rolling cargo were stranded in Bicol ports.
“The PCG has monitored a total of 2, 554 passengers, drivers and cargo helpers; 50 vessels; 50 motor bancas; and 1,104 rolling cargoes stranded in Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Central Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao regions. While 56 vessels and 53 motor bancas are taking shelter amid the typhoon,” the Coast Guard said.
Funds on standby
Malacañang said over P556 million worth of funds are now on standby to assist those affected by Bising.
In a statement on Sunday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said these available funds could be tapped by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its typhoon response.
He said DSWD has an available stockpile of 370,058 Family Food Packs, or P188 million worth of aid as of 6 pm of April 17, 2021.
Likewise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) prepositioned its assets to assist communities affected by typhoon Bising.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) alerted local government units in areas to be hit by typhoon.
For its part, the Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the management of evacuation centers to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among evacuees.
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