Lanao Sur province, town in Bukidnon under state of calamity due to Vinta

The province of Lanao del Sur and a town in Bukidnon province have been placed under state of calamity due to the onslaught of tropical cyclone Vinta, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

In a press briefing, NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said Lanao del Sur and Baungon town in Bukidnon are the latest areas in Mindanao to be placed under state of calamity.

This brings the number of areas under state of calamity to 13, including:

• Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur
• Bacolod, Lanao del Norte
• Entire province of Lanao del Norte
• Labason, Zamboanga del Norte
• Salug, Zamboanga del Norte
• Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay
• Balabac, Palawan
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Bataraza, Palawan
• Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte
• Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte

Marasigan said that according to the latest data given to the office, a total of 17,302 families are still in 90 evacuation centers and 5,964 others are staying with their relatives.

She also reported that Vinta damaged a total of 6,713 houses, 3,584 of which were totally-damaged, while 3,129 were partially-damaged.

Cost of damage in the agriculture sector now amounts to P1,307,319.391.11, Marasigan said.

She said there has already been a "notable" subsidence of flood water in certain storm-stricken areas.

Power has also been restored in areas that experienced blackouts during the storm due to continued restoration activities of electric utility companies, she added.

Meanwhile, a total of P29,815,276 have so far been allocated to assist victims of the tropical cyclone, Marasigan said. These include food packs, non-food items, relief items and ready-to-eat food.

Marasigan also warned the public against the low pressure area which has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

If it develops into a tropical depression, the low pressure will be named "Agaton."

"Huwag nating ipagsawalang-bahala itong pag-uulan dala ng low pressure are. Maaaring maging ganap na bagyo ito. Maaari itong magdala ng tubig na maaaring maging peligroso sa inyong lugar," Marasigan said.

The low pressure area is expected to make landfall on the night of New Year's Day or in the early morning of January 2. —ALG, GMA News