In response to the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has established temporary ‘tent cities’ in Camarines Sur to house displaced families. These emergency shelters, located in Barangay Ombao Polpog, Bula, and Baao, are designed to provide immediate refuge for those whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by the storm in late October.
DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio emphasized the importance of these tent cities as a safe haven for the affected residents. The agency has deployed 100 family tents, each capable of housing up to five families, and 200 modular tents for smaller family units. Laurio stressed the commitment of DSWD-5 to meet the needs of the affected Bicolanos comprehensively.
According to data from local government units, Kristine damaged a total of 82,193 homes, with 6,493 completely destroyed and 75,700 partially affected. In addition to providing shelter, DSWD-5 is also offering financial assistance to help families recover. Those with totally destroyed homes will receive PHP10,000, while those with partially damaged homes will get PHP5,000.
Currently, 16,782 families, totaling 70,288 individuals, remain displaced. Of these, 7,086 families (31,741 people) are sheltered in 147 evacuation centers, and 9,696 families (38,547 people) are staying with relatives. As of the latest report, PHP423 million in humanitarian aid has been distributed across the six provinces in the region.