The Philippine government has set aside P1.105 billion in standby funds, including 222,382 food packs worth P113 million, for victims of tropical storm “Dante,” the Palace said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had conducted a pre-disaster risk assessment for “Dante” on May 31 and issued warnings and reminders to local government units on the implementation of preparedness activities and pre-emptive evacuation of communities in hazard-prone areas.
The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed personnel to assist in evacuation and rescue operations in flooded areas, Roque said, noting that clearing operations had started.
“Dante” has caused about P14.60 million in farm damage, the Department of Agriculture reported on June 2.
As of Wednesday, 8:00 p.m., the center of “Dante” was seen over coastal waters of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, state weather bureau Pagasa said in its 7 p.m. bulletin. John Ezekiel J. Hirro