Torrential rains from typhoon “Tino” overflowed rivers causing flashfloods and landslides in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay in Cebu province on 4 November. Of the reported 232 total deaths nationwide from the storm, 150 were from Cebu.

“Tino” destroyed around 6,000 houses and damaged some 2,800 others, according to the city government. It also wiped out rice, corn and high-value vegetables from more than 1,404 hectares of affected farmlands, and another 380 hectares were damaged.

Public and private relief operations for affected families immediately followed the calamity as the next super typhoon, “Uwan” caused damaged to the island’s coastal communities. Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Solaire Resort & Casino, launched its assistance drive for “Tino” victims from 16 to 20 November.

Coast Guard, maritime police and civilian volunteers helped BCFI people repack food, water and hygiene supplies before delivering them to more than 300 families in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay on 19 November.

On 20 November, BCFI and volunteers from the Manila Water Foundation, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Army’s 14th Civil Military Operations “Katipanan” Battalion, Cebu City’s maritime police station, and civilian volunteers distributed hygiene supplies, sleeping kits and potable water to affected families in Danao, Compostela and Liloan towns.

BCFI is targeting to help 1,700 families in Cebu.