BAGUIO CITY — At least 708 families or 2,177 individuals have been affected by Typhoon Toraji (Nika), according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in region 2.

In particular, Toraji hit 58 barangays from Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces.

Initial reports by DSWD-Region II showed that at least 635 families (1,949 individuals) took temporary refuge in 58 evacuation centers in the Cagayan Valley region. Of this, 17 families (37 persons) are in 2 evacuation centers in Cagayan province; 478 families (1,492 persons) in 37 evacuation centers in Isabela province; 25 families (79 persons) in 4 evacuation centers in Nueva Vizcaya; and 115 families (341 persons) in 15 evacuation centers in Quirino.

According also to the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management reports, at least 29 families (88 persons) sought temporary shelter with their relatives and friends in the Cagayan Valley region as of Monday morning.

Moreover, the department reported at least 8,995 additional family food packs had already reached Batanes on Sunday via the BRP Gabriela Silang of the Philippine Coast Guard and C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force.

These were for the victims of Typhoon Yinxing (Marce) that disastrously hit the northernmost province last week. The supplies also form part of the preparations on possible devastation response to Typhoon Nika until Friday.

DSWD-Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene B. Dumlao further added that 10,000 family food packs are now being loaded by DSWD-Region III in satellite warehouses in Baler, Aurora as additional prepositioned goods that may be needed.

These are on top of the 1,000 family food packs being prepared to be sent to Dilasag, Aurora meant for prepositioning efforts of the department, she explained. — Artemio A. Dumlao

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