Death toll from storms up to 150
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday said that the reported death toll due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon has increased to 150. It said some 29 people were also reported as missing and 115 more were injured. Kristine and Leon had affected 7,494,023 people or 1,892,226 families across 17 regions. Most of these came from the Bicol Region, with 2,684,154 people, followed by Central Luzon with 1,092,750 and Calabarzon with 752,793. Floods and landslides had been reported in affected areas, and 150,511 houses were damaged — 10,940 of them completely. The NDRRMC said the damage to infrastructure was pegged at P6.39 billion and agriculture at P2.87 billion. Some P32.62 million in damage was done to irrigation facilities. Meanwhile, problems in power supply, water supply, and communication line services remain in many areas. The NDRRMC said assistance worth P895,658,723 million has been provided to the victims so far. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public on Thursday that the government "is ably handling all disaster management efforts" and "remains in full control" in addressing and providing the needs of all those affected by the onslaught of by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon. Marcos' pronouncement came following his directive to all concerned agencies to ensure the sustained distribution of essential supplies to prevent disease outbreaks and address immediate needs of affected residents. "Our resources and personnel may be stretched due to the impact of typhoons on multiple fronts. Nevertheless, we have sufficient assets to mitigate the worst impact, recover from the wreckage, and rebuild stronger than before," he said in a statement. "Relief and recovery efforts continue in areas affected by Typhoon Kristine, while preparations are ramping up for Typhoon Leon," he added. The Chief Executive reminded all frontline agencies to "remain on full alert and remain ready to deploy aid wherever it may be needed." State weather forecasters earlier reported that center of Leon's eye was observed 155 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center with a gustiness of up to 215 kph while moving northwestward at 25 kph. On the other hand, relief efforts were still ongoing in areas badly damaged by Kristine. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it was ready to provide more assistance in the wake of the two storms. More than 3,000 military land assets are available and ready for deployment anytime, while 120 sea assets, and 40 air assets are also on standby. The AFP has also tied up with its foreign counterparts to aid in the distribution of goods and equipment in severely affected areas. Among the foreign air assets currently in the country are a C130 aircraft from Singapore, an EC725 helicopter from Malaysia, a C295 from Brunei, and two aircraft from Indonesia. On Thursday, the European Union (EU) said it has approved €1.5 million in financial aid to the Philippines to help affected communities recover from the devastation brought by Kristine. The humanitarian aid aims to assist families in hardest-hit-areas such as in the Bicol and Calabarzon regions. EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: "I am sad to see that only a few days after my visit to Manila, the Philippines was, once more this year, severely struck by a disaster." "The EU stands ready to help populations that are on the frontline of climate-related disasters," Lenarcic said in a statement Thursday. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi condoled with the Philippines following the devastation caused by Kristine. Ishiba and Iwaya said Japan is ready to provide all possible assistance to the Philippines to help the affected communities recover from the disaster. The Japanese Embassy in Manila said that on Oct. 29 Ishiba conveyed his message of condolences to President Marcos. "On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and express my sympathy to those who were affected," he said. Ishiba added: "Like the Philippines, we fully understand the hardship caused by severe damages of typhoons. Japan always stands with the Philippines in overcoming this time of difficulties." The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines earlier extended its "deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones and offer our prayers for the injured." "Our hearts go out to the Filipino people who have been affected by Typhoon Kristine. In these difficult times, we pray for strength and resilience as you rise from the aftermath of the typhoon," the embassy said in a statement. "To our Filipino friends, we stand with you in spirit and prayer as you navigate through this challenging time," it added.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday said that the reported death toll due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon has increased to 150.
It said some 29 people were also reported as missing and 115 more were injured.
Kristine and Leon had affected 7,494,023 people or 1,892,226 families across 17 regions.
Most of these came from the Bicol Region, with 2,684,154 people, followed by Central Luzon with 1,092,750 and Calabarzon with 752,793.
Floods and landslides had been reported in affected areas, and 150,511 houses were damaged — 10,940 of them completely.
The NDRRMC said the damage to infrastructure was pegged at P6.39 billion and agriculture at P2.87 billion. Some P32.62 million in damage was done to irrigation facilities.
Meanwhile, problems in power supply, water supply, and communication line services remain in many areas.
The NDRRMC said assistance worth P895,658,723 million has been provided to the victims so far.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public on Thursday that the government "is ably handling all disaster management efforts" and "remains in full control" in addressing and providing the needs of all those affected by the onslaught of by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon.
Marcos' pronouncement came following his directive to all concerned agencies to ensure the sustained distribution of essential supplies to prevent disease outbreaks and address immediate needs of affected residents.
"Our resources and personnel may be stretched due to the impact of typhoons on multiple fronts. Nevertheless, we have sufficient assets to mitigate the worst impact, recover from the wreckage, and rebuild stronger than before," he said in a statement.
"Relief and recovery efforts continue in areas affected by Typhoon Kristine, while preparations are ramping up for Typhoon Leon," he added.
The Chief Executive reminded all frontline agencies to "remain on full alert and remain ready to deploy aid wherever it may be needed."
State weather forecasters earlier reported that center of Leon's eye was observed 155 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center with a gustiness of up to 215 kph while moving northwestward at 25 kph.
On the other hand, relief efforts were still ongoing in areas badly damaged by Kristine.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it was ready to provide more assistance in the wake of the two storms.
More than 3,000 military land assets are available and ready for deployment anytime, while 120 sea assets, and 40 air assets are also on standby.
The AFP has also tied up with its foreign counterparts to aid in the distribution of goods and equipment in severely affected areas.
Among the foreign air assets currently in the country are a C130 aircraft from Singapore, an EC725 helicopter from Malaysia, a C295 from Brunei, and two aircraft from Indonesia.
On Thursday, the European Union (EU) said it has approved €1.5 million in financial aid to the Philippines to help affected communities recover from the devastation brought by Kristine.
The humanitarian aid aims to assist families in hardest-hit-areas such as in the Bicol and Calabarzon regions.
EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: "I am sad to see that only a few days after my visit to Manila, the Philippines was, once more this year, severely struck by a disaster."
"The EU stands ready to help populations that are on the frontline of climate-related disasters," Lenarcic said in a statement Thursday.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi condoled with the Philippines following the devastation caused by Kristine.
Ishiba and Iwaya said Japan is ready to provide all possible assistance to the Philippines to help the affected communities recover from the disaster.
The Japanese Embassy in Manila said that on Oct. 29 Ishiba conveyed his message of condolences to President Marcos.
"On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and express my sympathy to those who were affected," he said.
Ishiba added: "Like the Philippines, we fully understand the hardship caused by severe damages of typhoons. Japan always stands with the Philippines in overcoming this time of difficulties."
The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines earlier extended its "deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones and offer our prayers for the injured."
"Our hearts go out to the Filipino people who have been affected by Typhoon Kristine. In these difficult times, we pray for strength and resilience as you rise from the aftermath of the typhoon," the embassy said in a statement.
"To our Filipino friends, we stand with you in spirit and prayer as you navigate through this challenging time," it added.
