Kristine death toll increases to 145

MANILA, Philippines — The number of fatalities from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has increased to 145, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The NDRRMC said of the reported fatalities, 14 have been validated. It said 115 people were injured and 37 were reported missing.

Kristine displaced more than 761,000 people, with over 333,000 staying in evacuation centers.

The agency said the amount of damage to agriculture was estimated at P2.8 billion.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the amount of damage to rice and other crops has increased to P3.7 billion. Damage to infrastructure was placed at P3.6 billion.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator for operations at the Office of Civil Defense, said power has been restored in 228 of 352 cities and municipalities that experienced outages at the height of Kristine.

Alejandro said 86 of 99 road sections destroyed by Kristine are now passable to all types of vehicles.

251,000 workers displaced

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Kristine displaced 251,000 workers, mostly in Bicol and Calabarzon.

Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said the government would focus its cash for work program in these regions.

In Bicol, Benavidez said the DOLE is aiming to extend emergency employment to more than 83,000 typhoon-affected workers. A majority of them are in Camarines Sur.

Residents whose homes or businesses were destroyed and incurred losses can avail themselves of the DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Displaced and Disadvantaged Workers or TUPAD program.

Aside from providing emergency employment, Benavidez said livelihood assistance would be given to typhoon victims.

More help coming

Help continues to pour in for people displaced by Kristine, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian yesterday said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to donate 33,000 family food packs for the victims.

Gatchalian met with UAE Ambassador Mohammed Obaid Alzaabi and Emirates Red Crescent board chairman Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei on Tuesday to discuss the embassy’s plan to roll out humanitarian assistance.

He said the UAE embassy would provide critical relief supplies, including food packs and drinking water, in regions hit hard by Kristine.

Transport and distribution of UAE relief goods will be handled by the DSWD and its regional offices.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government will donate P10 million for victims of Kristine in Bicol.

The city council on Tuesday authorized Mayor Joy Belmonte to extend financial assistance to nine local government units in Camarines Sur and Albay.

The municipalities of Bato, Bula, Buhi, Nabua, Pili and Tinambac in Camarines Sur as well as Libon and Guinobatan in Albay will receive P1 million each from the Quezon City government. Iriga City in Camarines Sur will receive P2 million.

San Juan City also allotted P1 million in assistance for victims of Kristine in Camarines Sur, which is its sister local government unit.

“The financial aid shows the bond between San Juan and Camarines Sur, underscoring our commitment to support one another in times of need,” San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said.

Crop damage up

The amount of damage caused by Kristine to rice and other crops has increased to P3.76 billion from P3.1 billion previously.

The DA said aside from rice, damage and losses were reported on corn, cassava, high-value crops, livestock, poultry and fishery as well as agricultural infrastructure.

Retail prices of vegetables – red pepper, cabbage, carrots and Baguio beans – continue to go up, the agency said.

The Energy Regulatory Commission has urged power distribution utilities to allow staggered payments for electricity bills and observe a moratorium on disconnection to give consumers relief from the effects of Kristine. – Sheila Crisostomo, Bella Cariaso, Janvic Mateo, Jose Rodel Clapano, Brix Lelis, Gilbert Bayoran, Ramon Efren Lazaro