MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed his Cabinet on Wednesday, October 23, to “batten down the hatches” as Tropical Storm Kristine threatened more regions.

Marcos gave the order during the situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“The point right now is that the storm is actually still off of our coast, it’s not yet in – it hasn’t made landfall yet. So, the worst is yet to come, I’m afraid. So, let’s all prepare – let’s just all prepare so that the minute that we get the signal that it’s okay to go in, we’ll all be able to go in,” he said, referring to hard-hit areas.

“There’s nothing we can do except wait for it to pass,” he added. “Give all the warnings that we can give. Evacuate as many people as we can. But we really have to just batten down the hatches for a day.”

Kristine’s speed has been erratic, slowing down and speeding up the past days. It is now expected to make landfall over Isabela on Wednesday night.

As the storm moves northwest, it leaves in its trail floods, landslides, and overwhelmed rescue operations in Bicol.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Kristine could intensify into a severe tropical storm.

“Wala tayong magagawa (There’s nothing we can do)…. I’m feeling a little helpless here because…all we can do is sit tight, wait, hope, pray that there’s not too much damage, that there are no casualties,” Marcos said.

“And then go in as soon and as quickly as possible with as much as we can to alleviate the effects, especially first to the population. And then afterwards, we will take care of all the other infrastructure: the power, the roads,” he added.

The Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region can expect heavy to intense rainfall on Thursday, October 24.

During the situation briefing, concerned officials reported to the President the possible deployment of three international medical teams to Bicol and Northern and Central Luzon, and assistance from neighboring countries like Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

“[I]n the aftermath of the disaster risk convention, we are coordinating now with our ASEAN neighbors,” said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Wednesday.

“I have already talked to our Singaporean ambassador to marshal their capabilities for airlift and other manpower assistance that they can pitch in. And we will talk to our traditional partners in the next few days in anticipation of airlift needs and other rescue needs.”

Marcos also ordered dam operators to carry out a “measure response” by releasing water from dams little by little to prevent a repeat of the 2020 Cagayan flooding disaster triggered by Magat Dam’s release of water at the height of Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco).

Based on the 8 am report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday, at least 382,000 individuals are affected, and 92 areas across five regions experienced flooding.

Bicol needs help

Reports saw many Bicolanos in need of rescue and aid.

Marcos said assessment operations in parts of Bicol, the hardest-hit region, may begin.

“Baka puwede nang lumipad ang helicopter or something like that para makapasok man lang, makapag-report nang mabuti kung ano ‘yung sitwasyon,” he said.

(Maybe we can send in a helicopter to enter the region, at least to get a comprehensive report of the situation on the ground.)

During the briefing, Marcos ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to clear roads and bridges blocked by debris due to landslides in Bicol. He also said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development should coordinate with the Department of National Defense for airlifting relief goods and medical equipment, among other essential items, to the region.

He also ordered the immediate distribution of water purifiers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to Bicol.

The Office of Civil Defense reported on Wednesday that several rescue assets have been deployed to Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Catanduanes.

Aside from the military and Coast Guard personnel on the ground, several private groups had also mobilized to bring boats and relief goods in the region, including former vice president Leni Robredo’s Angat Buhay Foundation.

Her hometown Naga is one of the hardest-hit in the region.

Local governments have also assured the public of continued rescue operations and advised those awaiting help to seek safer and higher places as they wait.

– Rappler.com