President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has committed to deploying rescue assets, including rubber boats, to the Bicol Region in response to the severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Kristine.
In response to a request from former Vice President Leni Robredo, particularly regarding the situation in Naga City, Marcos assured that efforts were already underway to gather necessary equipment. “As soon as we can enter, we will be doing that. We are now beginning to marshal our assets, such as rubber boats, and we will transport them from Mindanao to the affected areas,” Marcos said in an interview on Wednesday.
The President acknowledged that parts of Camarines Sur, particularly areas situated in low-lying basins, have been severely impacted by the floods. “Half of the province is under water,” he noted, adding that this region is often hit by floods due to its geographical location between Albay and CamSur.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. also reported that at least 300 barangays in Naga City were completely submerged due to the storm. “Out of 600 barangays in Naga, 300 are fully submerged. They urgently need rubber boats and six-by-six trucks for evacuation efforts,” Remulla shared during a situational briefing with the President.
Storm Fatalities and Impact
Tropical Storm Kristine has claimed the lives of three individuals in the Bicol Region, according to the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5). Bicol’s regional police chief, Police Brigadier General Andre Perez Dizon, also reported that one person is missing and six others were injured as of early Wednesday morning.
Overall, the storm has affected 382,302 individuals or 77,910 families across Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and the Zamboanga Peninsula. Of those displaced, 12,334 people are in evacuation centers, while 364 others are seeking shelter elsewhere.