ILOILO City – Tropical Storm Kristine has affected 37,873 individuals from 9,456 families across 35 cities and municipalities in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6.
As of yesterday, October 24, 1,207 families or 4,196 persons were housed in evacuation centers, while 275 families comprising 1,016 individuals sought refuge with relatives or friends.
Additionally, the storm caused substantial damage to housing, with 20 houses completely destroyed and 149 partially damaged.
Comparative data from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) indicated lesser figures, with 4,602 families or 20,403 individuals affected as of 12:01 a.m. yesterday.
RDRRMC reported that 283 families were accommodated inside 25 evacuation centers, and 137 families outside.
Breakdown by province shows:
* Aklan – 3,104 families or 15,289 persons affected
* Capiz – 396 families or 1,190 persons affected
* Iloilo – 191 families or 638 persons affected
* Negros Occidental – 911 families or 3,266 persons affected
The region also reported transportation disruptions, with 371 passengers stranded across Iloilo, Aklan, and Guimaras, alongside 221 stranded rolling cargoes and 15 vessels, including 11 from Iloilo.
In response, DSWD Region 6 and local government units have distributed P1.6 million in aid, with DSWD disbursing P839,735.28 and LGUs contributing an additional P850,963 worth of goods.
The aid primarily consisted of family food packs distributed in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Occidental.
Roxas City received P330,674 in aid, Batad (Iloilo) P52,170, Cadiz (Negros Occidental) P370,880, Sipalay City (Negros Occidental) P11,590, and Bacolod City P74,420.
Additionally, Maayon and Pilar in Capiz, and New Lucena and Lambunao in Iloilo, among others, have also released funds to support affected families.
Arwin Razo, DSWD-6 officer-in-charge, mphasized the strategic prepositioning of resources which has facilitated quick distribution.
DSWD continues to monitor the situation closely, with a Quick Response Team activated and a standby fund of P147.2 million ready to address further needs./PN
