Ships loaded with relief goods are headed to the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur as part of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) mission to aid those affected by the onslaught of Tropical Storm Auring.

“Intended siya sa areas affected sa Surigao del Sur at del Norte. ‘Yung mga nauna kahapon were brought to Surigao del Sur (It is intended for areas affected at Surigao del Sur and del Norte. Those that left yesterday were brought to Surigao del Sur),” PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said in a Viber message.

The BRP Gabriela Silang and BRP Malapascua were both loaded with boxes of food packs, tents, sleeping kits, and bottles of alcohol on Tuesday.

The supplies were ferried from the Department of Social Welfare and Development head office in Quezon City to Pier 15 in Port Area using two Coast Guard boom trucks, one Coast Guard bus, and two DSWD close vans, the PCG said in a Facebook post.

Families affected by the onslaught have climbed to 49,947 in five regions, the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday show.

In its update, the highest number of affected families was recorded in Caraga Region with 47,791 families, followed by Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) with 1,337; Region 11 (Davao Region) with 803, Region 5 (Bicol Region) with 15; and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) with one.

Before the storm’s onslaught, a total of 18,966 families were preemptively evacuated in Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8, 10, and Caraga. (PNA)