President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspects the areas affected by severe tropical storm Kristine in Batangas and Cavite on October 25, 2024. Courtesy MPC pool

MANILA -- President Marcos has assured the affected residents and local officials of help after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine barreled through the Bicol region.

Marcos traveled to Bicol on Saturday to see the situation first hand after storm "Kristine" lashed out the region and triggered massive floods.  

Together with his cabinet members and local officials, the President assured the evacuees at the Naga City Hall that his government is on top of the situation.

"Dumaan lang po ako para makita 'yong mga dala namin na tulong at lahat kayo na kailangang mag-evacuate dahil nakalubog pa ang ibang bahay ninyo," Marcos said.

During the situation briefing, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion said floods in the city reached as high as 12 feet, submerging 22 out of 27 barangays.

READ: Kristine death toll rises to 27 -- NDRRMC

READ: Rescuers battle floodwaters to reach people left stranded by 'Kristine'

"Unprecedented po ito first time na mangyari sa aming lungsod," according to Legacion.

"Sa ngayon 7 barangay na lang po ang baha. Yung ilang portion hanggang dibdib pa rin," he noted.

"We may still be needing rescue boats kasi hindi pa rin po kami tapos sa rescue operation," Legacion added.

Albay acting governor Gwen Ong Bongao also reported that over 92,000 families were evacuated in the province with over 500 houses totally damaged.

The estimated damage cost for roads and bridges was pegged up to P1.3 billion while agricultural damage was pegged at P10 million.

"Ang pinagtutuunan namin ng pansin sa recovery and rehabilitation we recommend yung nakita niyo sa Libon, kailangan marelocate na po ang families," Bongao said.

Both the Naga City and Albay governments are requesting the Department of Social Welfare and Development for thousands of additional food packs for the affected residents.

"We're okay, Mr. President. We’re just having to use our Cebu center na to fit into Bicol," said DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian.

Marcos also directed that the incoming fuel supply should be prioritized to hospitals.

After seeing the widespread floods Marcos stressed the need to focus on long-term flood projects, particularly the Bicol River Basin Project.

READ: Tropical Storm Kong-rey forecast to enter PAR by Sunday morning

"We have to revisit it now. Iba na ang conditions ngayon," according to Marcos.

"May flood control naman tayo eh. Pero hindi kaya yung ganitong kadaming tubig. Walang forecast na ganito eh. Ito Climate change talaga ito. This is all new," Marcos added.

Both the Naga City and Albay governments received P30 million and P50 million of financial assistance, respectively, from the office of the president.

Based on the initial information of the Office of the Civil Defense, 81 were reported dead with 1 confirmed in CALABARZON; 66 were reported injured and 34 were missing with 1 confirmed in Region 4-A.

"'Yung for validation naman po natin we have 26 meaning ito po yung may verification na at ivavalidate na lang po ng ating [FTM] cluster either sa local po or dito po sa national... we have 26 deaths for validation, 20 injuries, and 4 missing po," explained OCD Spokesperson Edgar Posadas.

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