The Office of Civil Defense is sending more reinforcement teams to assist in rescue operations in areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Kristine’.
In a palace briefing, OCD spokesperson Director Edgar Posadas said ongoing rescue efforts remain a priority in Bicol.
“Ang challenge pa rin nila doon ay the floodings which are really mataas pa,” he said.
“There are enough resources pero, yun nga, sa taas ng baha—these are in Naga and several municipalities in Camarines Sur such as Presentacion, Bula, and the other towns nearby,” he added.
He said teams and equipment from the Southern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been deployed to augment the operations of local government units.
“As we speak mayroong padating na mga reinforcement from the Southern Luzon Command, both personnel and equipment and, at the same time, magpapadala din ng tulong doon kasi we practice at OCD ‘yung pagtulong po ng mga less affected na mga regions to assist nearby regions.,” he said.
He said reinforcement teams from Eastern Visayas will be assisting in Bicol.
Posadas said aid has already been mobilized in the towns of Polangui and Libon in Albay.
“Medyo mayroon pa tayong challenge doon sa ibang mga malalayong mga barangays and lugar,” he said.
“But we are getting there with the augmentation ng SolCom and the region 8 contingent, I’m sure malaking tulong ‘yun.”
As of Thursday morning, there have been 10 reported deaths, two injuries and nine missing persons, according to the OCD. Nineteen LGUs have declared a state of calamity. (PCO)
