ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Residents of Gigantes Island in Carles, Iloilo, are asking for help after being isolated for almost three days due to the cancellation of sea trips going to the mainland amid Severe Tropical Storm #KristinePH.
With the canceled trips, locals report a dwindling supply of food, water, and other essential supplies as they await relief.
Gigantes Island is approximately 19 kilometers off the coast of mainland Carles. Traveling by pump boat from Bancal Port takes around 1.5 hours. Since October 22, the entire province of Iloilo has been placed under Signal Number 1.
To support the affected families, a donation drive has been organized, accepting in-kind donations through contact person Keiffer Lopez on Facebook or Messenger.
The local government reported that the strong winds and heavy rains damaged 79 small boats, with losses amounting to over P2 million. The agriculture office also reported an initial loss of P189,361 in fish production, particularly affecting milkfish and catfish farms.
Data from the Office of the Civil Defense showed that Kristine affected 574 families or 2,922 individuals in Carles as of Friday, October 25.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office estimated losses at P23 million, with Lemery being the hardest-hit area, reporting P16.8 million in rice crop damage.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has so far provided P8.7 million in aid to the 46,501 families of 192,497 individuals affected in Western Visayas.
The assistance distributed included 10,144 family food packs good for two days for a family of five and 352 non-food items such hygiene kits and kitchen kits, among others. – Rappler.com
Rjay Zuriaga Castor is a 2024 Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow. He is a reporter for The Daily Guardian, an Iloilo-based newspaper.