President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Barangay Causip in Bula, Camarines Sur on Saturday to assess the damage from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami). Despite ongoing relief operations, efforts have been hampered as many areas remain flooded, blocking large relief vehicles from entering.
“The issue here is that many areas are still underwater, and even big trucks can’t get through,” Marcos said. Emergency teams are relying on rubber boats to reach affected areas.
Despite logistical challenges, Marcos confirmed that food packs and hygiene kits continue to reach evacuees, and supplies remain sufficient. “All the essentials are in place,” he assured.
The storm has severely impacted Bicol’s infrastructure, with roads and bridges suffering significant damage. Marcos emphasized that the flooding was worse than the infamous Typhoon Ondoy, noting that current flood control systems—like dikes, pumping stations, and gates—were overwhelmed by the storm’s heavy rains.
In a briefing, Marcos expressed intent to revive the Bicol River Basin Development Program, initiated by his late father in 1973, to bolster flood defenses. He aims to begin the project by 2026, emphasizing the need to adapt to increasingly severe weather events brought on by climate change.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported at least 81 deaths from the storm, with most fatalities in CALABARZON and Bicol. Additionally, 66 people sustained injuries, and 34 remain missing.