Marcos monitors Tino impact, response

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos continues to monitor the impact of Typhoon Tino and the government’s ongoing disaster response, as the storm affected more than 340,000 people across 1,397 barangays in seven regions.

“We were able to immediately conduct preemptive evacuations and now there are more than 175,000 people temporarily staying in evacuation centers in the affected regions,” Marcos said in a statement read by Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

The affected areas include Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and the Negros Island Region.

“The government assures continued action to accelerate the recovery of our countrymen. Stay alert and listen to the advice of your local officials,” Marcos said.

Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is ready to assist and augment disaster response operations in areas affected by Typhoon Tino.

In a video message, Duterte said the OVP’s Disaster Operations Center has been placed on standby to coordinate with local governments and provide needed support.

She also reminded residents to prioritize safety, remain vigilant and heed advisories from authorities, emphasizing that “the safety and well-being of everyone remains the primary goal during this time.”

Duterte also issued reminders for residents: “Stay indoors and stay away from windows and glass doors; prepare bags for evacuation and fill them with food, drinking water, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit; unplug electrical appliances to avoid power surges and possible electrocution.”

“Avoid going out or traveling until authorities declare our roads safe; move to higher ground if you live in an area prone to flooding; be alert and listen to weather news and advisories from PAGASA; help children, the elderly and people with disabilities,” she added.

Aside from the President and Vice President, several lawmakers have also mobilized aid and monitored relief operations in storm-hit communities.
In Eastern Samar, Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan have launched relief operations for families affected by Typhoon Tino, particularly in the isolated islands of Homonhon and Suluan, where most homes were damaged or destroyed.

“We are working closely with provincial and municipal governments as well as national agencies. We are mobilizing supplies of food, drinking water and hygiene kits to ensure that the immediate needs of our people are met, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” Gonzales said.

In Leyte, an evacuation center with family rooms and a breastfeeding area has provided safe shelter for hundreds of evacuees in San Miguel, a model project initiated by former House speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Tingog Party-list and Mayor Norman Sabdao.

As of Sunday evening, about 2,072 people have taken refuge in the hubs.

“We want our evacuees to feel safe, cared for and treated humanely even in crisis,” said Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre.

Built through the support of Romualdez and local leaders, the complex features separate family rooms, a breastfeeding corner, clean restrooms, sleeping quarters and accessible spaces for children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

“This is more than an evacuation site – it’s a home in times of need,” Acidre said.

Romualdez added, “Our aim is simple – every Filipino family must have a safe and decent place to stay when disaster strikes.”

Relief efforts

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has extended over P1.9 million worth of food and non-food assistance to families affected by the typhoon in the Bicol, Central Visayas and Caraga regions.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the department’s field offices have coordinated with local governments to augment resources.

“Our food packs and non-food items can easily be accessed because they’re prepositioned in areas that Typhoon Tino may possibly pass by,” she said.

Dumlao said the amount of aid is expected to rise as situational analyses continue.

The agency also deployed its mobile kitchen to serve hot meals to stranded passengers in Matnog Port, Sorsogon.

The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have also deployed clearing teams to ensure major roads remain passable.

As of yesterday, 175,531 people are staying in 2,156 evacuation centers in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Central and Eastern Visayas, and Caraga. Another 20,565 families are staying with relatives or friends.

PNP, Red Cross on alert

The Philippine National Police has deployed 9,056 personnel and 326 vehicles nationwide to assist in rescue, evacuation and security operations.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo said police presence will remain constant through round-the-clock coordination with disaster response agencies.

“Evacuation is a safety measure, not a suggestion,” Okubo said, urging residents in flood-prone and coastal areas to follow government advisories.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. earlier placed all police regional offices along Tino’s path on standby to ensure quick response and reinforcement when needed.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has assisted over 5,000 people affected by the typhoon, providing first aid, health, water, sanitation and hygiene services in the hardest-hit areas.

Its Emergency Response Units reached 179 residents in Southern Leyte, Gingoog City and Cebu, while four first aid stations operated across Masbate, Siargao Islands and Gingoog City.

Through its health services, PRC conducted disease prevention sessions for 310 people in Capiz and administered doxycycline to 15 individuals in Southern Leyte.

Volunteers also distributed bottled water and face masks in Negros Occidental and served 1,642 hot meals to evacuees.

The Department of Health in Central Visayas likewise ensured that basic medicines, clean water and hygiene kits were distributed to affected families.

“The DOH emergency response teams in Cebu remain on alert to provide medical services in evacuation centers,” the department said.

Power interruptions

Typhoon Tino has knocked down at least 19 power transmission lines and crippled eight electric cooperatives (ECs), leaving more than a million consumers without electricity across the Visayas.

According to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the affected ECs declared a state of total power interruption yesterday morning, impacting about 1.07 million customers in 423 municipalities.

“There is a safety protocol that has to be followed. Line inspection has to be done before electricity can be restored in the substations,” NEA administrator Antonio Almeda said, appealing for patience among residents in storm-hit areas.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that various transmission lines in Leyte, Biliran, Aklan, Surigao del Sur, Cebu, Antique, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental were unavailable as of 5 p.m.

The grid operator said simultaneous restoration activities were being conducted in areas already accessible.

To minimize further impact of Typhoon Tino on transmission operations and facilities, the NGCP said it had implemented precautionary measures ahead of the storm’s landfall. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Mark Ernest Villeza, Rhodina Villanueva, Edith Regalado, Brix Lelis