MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard's (PGC) BRP Gabriela Silang arrived in typhoon-hit Batanes on Sunday to deliver much-needed relief goods after facing delays due to severe weather conditions.

According to PCG spokesperson Commodore Aljier Ricafrente, the 84-meter vessel carried approximately 5,500 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development for country’s northernmost province recenty battered by violent winds and heavy rains due to typhoon Leon.

Prior to its journey, BRP Gabriela Silang took shelter in Sual town, Pangasinan, while waiting for improved sea conditions.

Local government and community members contributed additional donations, including sacks of rice.

RELATED: Rescue and relief efforts in Batanes to continue despite aircraft mishap — AFP

“‘Yong ating isang barko na BRP Gabriela Silang na may dalang relief goods papuntang Batanes ay kahapon lang ng umaga nakapagsimulang maglayag uli papuntang Batanes after mag-take shelter ito sa may Sual, Pangasinan noong mga nakaraang araw,” Ricafrente said.

(Our BRP Gabriela Silang left yesterday morning with relief goods for Batanes after taking shelter in Sual, Pangasinan in recent days)

Recent reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) indicate that a total of 2,200,731 families, or 8,630,663 individuals, were affected by tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon over the past weeks.

The storms have resulted in a death toll of 146, with 91 individuals injured and 19 reported missing.

Damage assessments reveal that 178,747 houses were affected, and the agricultural sector incurred significant losses, estimated at ₱4.4 billion.

Additionally, 105,731 farmers and fisherfolk were affected.

In terms of irrigation, 105 facilities sustained damage, costing around ₱1 billion.

Overall infrastructure damage reached ₱7.2 billion, affecting 958 structures.

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