1,500 families displaced by 'Queenie'

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Nearly 1,500 families or about 7, 000 people have been affected and displaced due to tropical depression "Chebi" (local name "Queenie"), which is affecting the Philippines, the state disaster management agency said today.

Most of the affected families in central and northern provinces of the country have been temporarily sheltered in 30 evacuation centers, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

Over 4,000 passengers and 120 vessels have been stranded in some seaports as the Philippine Coast Guard prevented ships from sailing in order to avoid any tragedy.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned P117.9 million ($2.63 million) worth of standby funds, food packs and other non-food items for the affected areas.

Chebi has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometer per hour near the center.