Some PHP94.6 million worth of relief items are available for immediate distribution in the Cordillera, most are prepositioned in local warehouses, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional director Maria Aplaten said.

As of Monday, there are 49,348 family food packs and 24,932 nonfood items in stockpile, she said, citing they continue to replenish their supplies.

Aplaten is part of the team conducting Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in the province of Apayao, the badly-hit area in the region by Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing) last week.

Albert Mogol, Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) chairman and Office of Civil Defense (ODC) regional director, on Monday said the regional RDANA team conducted assessment in the municipalities of Flora, Sta. Marcela, Pudtol and Luna.

Mogol said the team is accompanied by the Provincial Administrator and personnel from the Apayao Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Apayao Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Apayao Provincial Engineering Office, Apayao Provincial Health Office, and DSWD SWAD-Apayao.

He said results of the assessment will be submitted to the national DRRMC for immediate action as part of the recovery efforts and provision for immediate support.

Mogol added that while aid has yet to be provided to the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami), Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-rey) and Marce, emergency and disaster teams are already on their toes in the midst of Typhoon Nika (international name Toraji) and the incoming tropical depression to be called Ofel.

He said the region is on red alert status and the Charlie preparedness, which means high risk, is in place. (PNA)