Gov’t ramps up Basyang relief

The government has released P7.29 million in assistance and distributed food packs to hundreds of families in “Basyang” storm-hit areas as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assess damage and step up relief operations.

According to the DSWD, food packs had been distributed to families in parts of Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and some areas in Eastern Visayas.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration downgraded “Basyang” to a low-pressure area as of 4 a.m. Sunday after it weakened off the coast of Cuyo, Palawan.

Despite weakening, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the storm caused widespread damage. OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said the death toll remained at 12, subject to verification, with about 132,000 families, or 455,000 individuals, affected.

The OCD said nine of the deaths were reported in Northern Mindanao and three in Caraga, with most victims believed to have drowned or been buried in landslides.

Castillo said 445 houses were damaged in Caraga, including 38 that were totally destroyed, while 14 municipalities experienced power outages.

The Philippine Coast Guard earlier allowed seaports closed due to the storm to resume full operations.

P7.2-M aid

The OCD said the government has allocated P7,285,971.31 in assistance for affected areas in Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Caraga and Davao through the DSWD.

Iligan City was among the hardest-hit areas and was placed under a state of calamity after severe flooding on 6 February. The city’s Safety Information Office reported five deaths.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led relief and damage assessment visits to Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro on Saturday after heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

Gatchalian, accompanied by Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao, inspected two evacuation centers and a flood-prone bridge to assess damage and determine the needs of displaced residents.

In a radio interview, Gatchalian said DSWD field offices were already on alert before the storm and had been instructed to immediately provide assistance to affected communities.

“We are assuring that no affected family will be left starving,” Gatchalian said in Filipino.

Later in the day, he met with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy to review ongoing relief operations supported by nearby DSWD centers.