Crising damage assessment on

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Rapid Assessment Team yesterday started the evaluation of the damage caused by Tropical Depression Crising in the northern areas of Cebu.

At least 24 Capitol officials from six different frontline offices, including the health, agriculture, environment and natural resource, veterinary, risk reduction and engineering offices, were deployed to different areas in the north spanning from Mandaue City to Bogo City to collate data as to the extent of the damage.

Provincial Administrator's Office executive assistant Ramil Abing said that it is the Capitol's standard operating procedure to organize a rapid assessment after an area experiences calamities. This is to estimate the value or condition of respective areas in the province.

Thomas Lawas, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office staff in Danao, said Barangay Maslog and another unnamed barangay currently have no access to electricity.

The assessment will end today and its findings are expected to be disclosed tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 gave assistance to 450 families who were flood victims in Carmen town and Mandaue City.

DSWD-7 information officer Leah Quintana said that they gave 250 sleeping kits and 250 family kits (brand new clothing) to Carmen barangays Luyang, Poblacion, Dauis Norte, and Dauis Sur last Sunday.

 The food packs for Mandaue City flood victims are expected to be distributed tomorrow once DSWD-7 gets the masterlist of the beneficiaries.

Northern Cebu was battered by Tropical Depression Crising that brought massive floods that resulted ten deaths, eight in Carmen town, one in Danao City, and another one in Alcoy town in the south. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Maria Carmela Pasaol (FREEMAN)