Last week, Tropical Storm Kristine hit the Philippines, triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and destruction, impacting over half a million families.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Monday morning that Severe Tropical Storm Kristine had resulted in 116 deaths, 109 injuries, and 39 missing persons.
Ariel Nepomuceno from the Office of Civil Defense, which manages disaster response, stated that Kristine is the deadliest storm to strike the Philippines this year.
The NDRRMC reported that nearly a million people were displaced by Kristine. The cyclone damaged 44,000 homes and 990 infrastructure facilities nationwide, with total damage estimated at P1.545 billion. Agricultural losses were estimated at P2.511 billion.
To access disaster funds and freeze basic goods prices, 160 cities and towns declared a state of calamity. Government and private groups rushed to rescue trapped villagers and aid thousands in shelters. In Bicol, where record rainfall hit, 41 deaths were reported, mostly from drowning, said regional police director Andre Dizon. Many remained trapped on rooftops, and President Marcos assured aid was on its way. In Batangas, provincial police chief Jacinto Malinao reported 60 deaths, largely from rain-triggered landslides.
International Aid and Relief Operations for Tropical Storm Kristine Victims
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) dispatched its Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) to Naga City, Bicol, to coordinate the acceptance and distribution of relief supplies for those impacted by Typhoon Kristine. “The OCD acts as the logistics coordinator for all incoming relief transported by air,” stated Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.
The relief mission began Sunday, with aircraft from Malaysia and Singapore delivering kitchen kits, shelter repair kits, family food packs, medical supplies, and clean water. Singapore’s C-130 cargo plane and Malaysia’s EC725 helicopter arrived at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base on Saturday.
At an emergency meeting, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured Bicol residents of ongoing aid efforts, including the airlifting of rubber boats to assist those trapped by severe flooding caused by Typhoon Kristine. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. confirmed outreach to neighboring countries like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore for airlift and manpower support. On Saturday, Teodoro, along with Singaporean Ambassador Constance See and Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abd Malik Castelino, were present at Villamor Air Base to receive international aid. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also coordinated with U.S. counterparts, using designated EDCA sites as staging grounds for relief operations.
