OVP dispatches aid to Agaton-hit communities in Visayas

Vice President Leni Robredo's office has dispatched aid for communities affected by Tropical Depression Agaton, with the first batch expected to reach beneficiaries by noontime Monday.

"Tuloy-tuloy ang coordination natin with LGUs regarding Agaton para makapagdala na agad ng tulong sa mga apektadong lugar," Robredo said in a statement from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

(We are coordinating with local government units so we can immediately send help to affected communities.)

Expected to reach Baybay, Leyte, by lunchtime on Monday are bottles of drinking water, she said.

"Sa Abuyog, Leyte at Sogod, Southern Leyte naman, target ng ating volunteers to distribute relief packs by this afternoon," Robredo, who is running for president in the May 9 elections, added.

(Relief packs for Abuyog, Leyte, and Sogod, Southern Leyte, are expected to be distributed by our volunteers this afternoon.)

In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar assured the public that the government is ready to assist residents affected by Agaton.

"The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is coordinating with the disaster councils of affected areas to support relief activities," said Andanar, who is also the acting presidential spokesperson, in a statement.

Based on government records, Agaton has affected 201 barangays. This translates to 3,717 displaced families inside 71 evacuation centers in Region V, VII, VIII, Region X, Region XI, Region XII, CARAGA and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News