Despite the widespread onslaught of Typhoon Tino in Cebu, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has assured the public that there are enough essential goods and food supplies across the region.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Friday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that food and essential supplies remain sufficient, especially as one of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) three main distribution hubs is based in Cebu City.
"Ang Cebu kasi nandoon yung isa sa tatlong main distribution hub ng DSWD. Kung pagkain lang ang pag-uusapan ay hindi po magkukulang ang response ng gobyerno,” he emphasized.
The DILG chief said the government remains fully mobilized following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of national calamity due to Tino and potential super typhoon Uwan.
He explained that the declaration enables all local government units (LGUs) and national agencies to utilize their quick response funds (QRF) for both reactive and preemptive measures during the duration of the typhoon.
Remulla revealed that around 40,000 families were evacuated early during the onslaught of Tino.
Despite this, Cebu City suffered heavy flooding due to an unusually intense 200 millimeters of rainfall in a short span of time, Remulla said.
"Ang hindi lang talaga kayang pigilan diyan yung delubyo na dala ulan, 200 millimeters ang dumating. Usually, kapag ganitong panahon isang buwan bago dumating ang ganyang ulan kaya talagang tinamaan ang Cebu City ng husto," he added.
As of the latest NDRRMC report, Tino has left 188 dead, 135 missing, and 96 injured nationwide.
"May naiwan pa rin, ‘yun lang mga nagbabantay [ng kanilang bahay] hindi naman natin masisi naman kasi ‘yung mga kagamitan nila nandoon," he said.
Preparation for Typhoon Uwan
Meanwhile, the DILG is now bracing for the incoming Typhoon Uwan, which is expected to make landfall over Northern or Central Luzon on Monday, November 10. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier warned that Uwan could rapidly intensify into a super typhoon.
Remulla said government forces are already being strategically deployed in preparation. The Philippine Coast Guard has dispatched ships carrying food packs, evacuation gear, and other supplies, while the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are pre-positioned in critical areas.
While low-lying and landslide-prone communities have already been alerted, with preemptive or mandatory evacuations ordered in identified barangays.
