The Aerial Reconnaissance and Assessment of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas has shown minimal impact of Typhoon Tino in the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras.
However, some parts of the province of Capiz, previously affected by Tropical Cyclone Ramil, remain flooded, particularly in the towns of Sigma, Mambusao and Dumalag.
According to RDRRMC-6 Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD-6) Regional Director Raul E. Fernandez, the provinces of Guimaras and Iloilo were lucky with minimal impact from Typhoon Tino.
“Ang nakita lang natin na medyo malaki ‘yung pinsalang nagawa po ng baha sa lugar po ng Sigma, Mambusao at Dumalag, kung saan mataas pa ho ang tubig hanggang sa ngayon,” Fernandez added
Fernandez also affirmed the government’s commitment to the affected populace.
OCD-6 is in constant coordination with local government units (LGUs) to ensure immediate relief is provided to those still housed in evacuation centers.
“So, tayo po’y patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga local chief executive po ng Sigma at tayo po’y handang tumulong po ng anumang paraan, lalong-lalo na po sa pagsuporta sa atin pong mga IDPs na hanggang sa ngayon ay nasa evacuation centers pa rin,” he added.
Looking beyond immediate relief, Fernandez underscored the vital need for a flood summit in the region.
This strategic initiative demonstrates the government’s dedication to finding long-term, sustainable solutions to the perennial flooding issue.
“We are banking ‘yung sana matuloy na ngayon ‘yung proyekto natin na Panay River Basin Integrated Project na ‘yan. And bukod diyan, we are also looking into integrating other solutions, such as nature-based and science and technology and other innovative solutions na pwedeng makatulong. Not only relying on engineering interventions, but also on other aspects of interventions, para maging holistic ‘yung approach natin sa atin pong pagmi-mitigate ng effect nitong flooding,” he added.
The representatives of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Tactical Operations Group (TOG-6) of the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Iloilo Provincial Government participated in the rapid assessment covering the areas of Guimaras, Iloilo and Capiz.
Based on the RDRRMC-6 report, as of 8:00 a.m. on Nov. 6, a total of 233,694 families or 764,007 persons from 4,619 barangays were affected by the onslaught of Tino in the region, of which 50,859 families were given family food packs, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food packs with a total cost of over P38 million.
This coordinated effort ensures comprehensive disaster management and speeds up the path to recovery for all affected areas in the region.AAL/FRG/PIA6
