P638M aid for Bicol STS Kristine victims

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 5 reported on Monday that P637,751,033.76 worth of assistance has been provided to residents affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in the Bicol region.

This amount includes aid from various government agencies and non-government organizations but does not include international aid from Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia.

Relief operations are ongoing across six provinces and one component city, aiding over 646,402 families with assistance including food packs, water, hot meals, financial aid, sandbags, 'sakoline', and blankets.

More than two million families have been affected by Tropical Storm Kristine and recent Typhoon Leon according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The OCD recorded that 109,749 houses were damaged with 24,184 completely destroyed and 85,565 partially damaged, while relief efforts continue in nine municipalities in Camarines Sur.