OCD: 4 countries sending air assets for relief operations

MANILA, Philippines — Four countries will send their air assets to the Philippines to assist in relief operations in areas devastated by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said yesterday.

OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have signified their intention to send their air assets to the country.

Among these are C-130 aircraft and helicopters which can help in transporting relief goods to communities affected by the cyclone.

“Any additional help is a sign of solidarity with our partners,” Nepomuceno said at a news forum in the Dapo Restaurant and Bar in Quezon City.

He said other countries have signified their intention to send assistance to relief efforts.

A day after Kristine left the country’s area of responsibility, relief aid started pouring in to Bicol and other regions that were flooded, brought about by incessant rains from the storm.

Nepomuceno particularly cited Bicol, where floodwaters have started receding, allowing mobility assets to deliver relief supplies to affected residents.

He said relief goods from the Visayas and Mindanao were brought to the Matnog Port in Sorsogon by Navy vessels.

Nepomuceno said access roads are being cleared of mud and other debris, so that relief supplies can be delivered to the affected areas by land.

At least 81 people died due to the effects of Kristine based on the OCD’s data as of yesterday morning. Nepomuceno is hoping the figure would no longer increase.

The number of families staying in evacuation centers is about 82,900 or 311,468 persons. The figure does not include the 138,131 households or 610,921 who took shelter with their loved ones.

Apart from Bicol, Nepomuceno said relief efforts are also ongoing in Calabarzon, particularly in Batangas and Cavite, which are among the hardest-hit provinces in the country.

Nepomuceno assured the communities they have enough food packs to supply communities.

The 200 police officers from Eastern Visayas who are part of a humanitarian contingent arrived in Bicol on Saturday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said another police contingent from