Kristine, Leon affected 2.179M families —NDRRMC

Over eight million people or more than two million families were affected by the two tropical cyclones that ravaged the country in October, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In its situation report as of 8 a.m. on November 2, Saturday, the NDRRMC said the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon affected 2,179,856 families or 8,534,215 persons.

Most of the affected were reported in the Bicol Region with 3,027,690 persons, followed by Region III with 1,092,915 and Calabarzon with 1,014,810.

Of the total affected population, 261,612 persons or 60,367 families were staying inside 1,351 evacuation centers across 17 regions, while 548,133 individuals or 113,705 families were taking shelter in other places.

Floods, landslides, and strong winds were reported in several areas in the affected regions.

A total of 178,747 houses were damaged, of which 164,146 were partially damaged and 14,601 were totally damaged.

Damage to infrastructure stood at P7,352,116,526.45 while damage to agriculture amounted to P4,437,,215,186.87.

In its report to the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) in Malacanang, the NDRRMC said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided P713.1 million in various assistance to families affected by Kristine and Leon as of November 1, 2024.

Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, the NDRRMC Executive Director, said among the support provided by the DSWD are family food packs (FFPs), other Food Items, Family Kits, Family Tent, Hygiene Kits, Sleeping Kits, laminated sacks, and Other Non-Food Items.

Nepomuceno, who is also the administrator of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said the DSWD extended humanitarian assistance of P525,000 to beneficiaries in different municipalities in Calabarzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Day of Mourning

NDRRMC also reported that the number of reported deaths due to Kristine stands at 146, while 91 were injured and 19 were reported missing.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared Monday, November 4, 2024, as a Day of National Mourning for the victims of Kristine.

In his Proclamation No. 728, issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by authority of the President, Marcos said that setting up November 4 as national day of mourning was “in solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished due to the devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.”

“The entire nation is requested to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims,” the President said.

Restoration, fuel supply

Meanwhile, in terms of power restoration in typhoon-affected communities the NDRRMC said that as of November 1, all affected power generation plants are back to normal operation. 

“All NGCP's transmission lines and facilities are now operating normally,” he said.

Based on the National Electrification Administration (NEA) report as of November 1, 13 electric cooperatives (ECs) remain in Partial Power Interruption (PPI). 

Out of 160 municipalities, 108 (67.5%) were energized and those to be restored are 101,107 consumer connections.

There is no reported fuel supply shortage in bulk facilities as of November 1, the NDRRMC said, noting fuel supply in some retail gasoline stations received replenishments from Pasacao (Camarines Sur) bulk facilities via truck delivery.

“Around 1,894 thousand liters of Liquid Petroleum Products (LPP) —diesel and gasoline— and 20,000 11-kg LPG cylinders  were delivered to Bicol for October 29-31, 2024,” it said.

The NDRRMC said all bulk facilities and terminals are operational except for one LPG Refilling Plant (Phoenix LPG Refilling Plant) as of November 1.

The NDRRMC also reported health-related logistics by the Department of Health (DOH) to National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon and Bicol region.

The support, totaling P4.5 million, includes medical and public health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Nutrition in Emergencies (NIE), it said.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News