MANILA, Philippines 鈥 The government has rolled out P1.1-billion assistance to families affected by recent tropical cyclones, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
In a statement on Sunday, the PCO said the assistance came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Office of the Civil Defense, local government units, and non-government organizations.
READ: PCG transports about 9,000 relief boxes for Kristine victims in Bicol
鈥淭he DSWD released 1,013,777 family food packs across regions affected by the two typhoons,鈥 the PCO said.
鈥淥n the other hand, the Armed forces of the Philippines Multinational Coordinating Centre and the Civil-Military Coordinating Centre conducted 58 humanitarian sorties in coordination with ASEAN countries in Naga City, Bicol, and Batangas via land, air, and naval assets,鈥 it added.
As of November 3, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways were still clearing roads and declogging drainages affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) and Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey), the PCO said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government issued guidelines on preventive measures against tropical cyclones.
The number of reported deaths due to the combined effects of Kristine and Leon is now at 150, the latest NDRRMC data revealed.
The NDRRMC also reported that Kristine and Leon have affected over eight million people nationwide so far.