Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman Senator Richard Gordon called on PNRC chapters to keep an eye on the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Negros Oriental, Davao Oriental, Cebu City and Surigao del Sur affected by continuous rainshowers, flashfloods and landslides caused by increment weather.
Gordon likewise ordered disaster relief operations in the areas hit by flashfloods.
In Surigao del Norte, PNRC Surigao chapter administrator Marilou Talingling reported that they are continuously monitoring and conducting survey operations in designated evacuation centers in coordination with provincial officials.
Series of health education lectures were also held to benefit 107 families or an estimated 430 persons.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Louella Bael, chapter administrator ng PNRC Negros Oriental, said that four (4) municipalities or 31 barangays in the province were distressed by heavy rains.
To date, almost 59 houses were wrecked and left 2 dead by the said weather disturbance.
In response, the Red Cross chapter recommended to allot P45,000 for the purchase of relief goods.
The Red Cross chapter also facilitated the release of 50 sacks of NFA rice as well as medicines for cough, colds, diarrhea and skin diseases
brought about by decongestion and prolonged stay of evacuees in the evacuation centers.
In Davao Oriental, PNRC chapter administrator Catherine Bijis on the other hand reported that the Municipality of Tarragona also experienced flooding. Reported casualty was Gilbert Achadan who drowned while crossing the river.
In the province of Cebu, PNRC Cebu Chapter administrator Norma Tancinco said that the Philippine Coast Guard is conducting a series of search and rescue operations with the aid of Red Cross chapter volunteers.
Tancinco said they were searching the bodies of Mario Oliverio, Gerry Kaquilala, William Badiable, Temoteo Morabos, Remegio Ofianga and Arn Darawis who were reportedly missing. F/B Linda J Stee II and M/V Chrysler rammed each other causing the latter to capsize.
Among the reported survivors were ship captain Grogonio Santillan along with Roger Pablo, Celso Santillan, Adrian Alobi, Joselito Cordova, Glenn Villanueva, Napoleon Naradan, Tolentino Oliverio, Erwin Ofianga and Roger Pones.
All of them were sent home after they were rescued at Sta. Fe Port in Bantayan Island, Cebu.
Currently, the Cebu Red Cross informed that the Coast Guard along with the Red Cross volunteers temporarily stopped search and rescue operations in consideration of the volunteers' safety. They will continue operations as soon as it becomes permissible.
The coastal areas of Cebu experienced heavy waves and rainshowers as well as minor land slides.
Almost 22 houses were destroyed, 403 were partially damaged and 446 families were displaced.
Red Cross disaster response teams conducted ocular inspection. The chapter also provided financial assistance and helped in the transfer of affected families to the evacuation centers.
Moreover, psychosocial support teams also administered counseling sessions for the affected families. Clothing, mats, pillows and blankets were also distributed to the victims.
In Surigao del Sur, PNRC Chapter administrator Adel de Guzman reported that disaster relief operations are still in full swing in their province.
De Guzman said that the chapter had just finished distributing ten (10) sacks of rice and and five (5) boxes of noodles to the 55 families in the marketplace, 8 families in Manggawong, 9 families in the coastal area, 5 families in Bogac and 36 families in Cumawas or a total of 148 families.