As Typhoon ‘Marce’ continues to impact northern regions, Philippine authorities face a complex recovery effort following the onslaught of storms that battered the country in recent weeks.
As of Friday, more than 17,000 people across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are taking shelter in evacuation centers.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that Ilocos Region has 522 evacuees, Cagayan Valley has 15,631, and CAR has 899.
“Right now, we’re still receiving reports from the field as affected communities continue dealing with Marce’s impact,” NDRRMC Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said.
National agencies took significant steps to provide relief. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed over 1,200 dedicated teams, including 1,364 vehicles, 88 land assets, and multiple watercraft and aircraft.
The Philippine Coast Guard is providing 81 land assets and 132 watercrafts, while the Philippine National Police (PNP) prepared up to 10,000 personnel for deployment if needed.
To address immediate needs, the government distributed over 187,000 food packs and essential items like potable water, hygiene kits, and medical supplies.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed officials to prioritize the delivery of these resources to communities in need.
Infrastructure challenges remain a pressing issue. Five bridges and eight road sections in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and CAR are currently impassable due to flooding and landslides.
Adams in Ilocos Norte and Peñablanca in Cagayan have reported landslides, while the seawall in Pagudpud sustained significant damage from heavy rains.
With ongoing damage assessments, officials anticipate a high toll on agriculture and infrastructure. Given the severe impacts of the previous storms, the NDRRMC plans to consolidate damage figures to capture the cumulative losses from Typhoons Julian, Kristine, Leon, and Marce.
The NDRRMC is closely coordinating with local governments to implement relief efforts and prepare for the possible arrival of a new storm next week.
