Regional solidarity has been seen through the commitment of the Malaysian and Singaporean militaries to deploy their military aircraft to assist the Philippines in its rescue and relief efforts after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine battered many areas.
A Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft and a Royal Malaysian Air Force EC725 helicopter touched down in the afternoon Saturday in the Philippines’s Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base, a statement from the Philippine Air Force said in its second press briefing as stormy winds howl.
As of Sunday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 288 areas in the country remained underwater while the worst flooding was in Central Luzon, affecting 132 areas. Moreover, 218 roads are impassable for traffic, with 137 roads impassable in Bicol, one of the most devastated areas by storm Kristine. CALABARZON ranks next with 46 impassable roads.
While the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been lifted in some areas, only 60 of 76 damaged seaports are reopening, and those affected have been 27 in MIMAROPA regions.
Data coming from the NDRRMC disclosed that more than 5.78 million were affected and unprecedented flooding experienced in the Bicol Region resulted to total property destruction with displacement.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during an emergency briefing last week, said that the government will be fully supporting Bicol residents, with immediate aid such as rubber boats and other equipment in aid of rescue missions being conducted.
Present during the arrival of aircraft and crews from Malaysia and Singapore at Villamor Air Base were Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.; Singaporean Ambassador See; and Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abd Malik Castelino.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has also been coordinating with the United States for additional airlift capacity, using staging grounds at locations covered under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. These U.S. access sites have been critical in expanding logistical support for ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
With recovery operations still in full swing, the international aid pouring in indicates a broader regional commitment to disaster response and that multilateral cooperation plays a critical role in managing severe climate events.
