A few days ago, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), a CBi Member Network, hosted a virtual Network Briefing with its member and partner companies to assess the impact of the tropical cyclones affecting the country. They discussed immediate needs and identified gaps in affected areas. This collaborative approach allowed the development of targeted resource mobilization plans, demonstrating the private sector's unified commitment to disaster preparedness and response.
Severe Tropical Storm Trami (Local Name: Kristine)
An estimated 6.7 million people (1,662,416 families) across 17 of the 18 regions in the Philippines have been affected by severe Tropical Storm Trami (known locally as Kristine).
Trami was preceded by heavy rains on 22 October leading to widespread flooding and landslides. Then, when the storm made landfall in Isabela Province in northern Luzon on 24 October, it continued to cause extensive flooding and flash floods, including a massive landslide in Talisay, Batangas, which tragically buried several homes. Trami exited the Philippines on October 25, making landfall in Viet Nam two days later.
Approximately 980,000 individuals have been displaced, with 561,000 residing in one of the 6,286 evacuation centers and 418,000 seeking shelter in other temporary locations. As floodwaters begin to recede in some areas, communities have initiated clean-up efforts, and, where possible, people are starting to return to their homes.
The number of casualties has unfortunately risen, with current reports indicating 97 fatalities, 69 injuries, and 30 missing persons. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) continues to validate and update these figures as more reports come in.
Severe Tropical Storm Kong-Rey (Local Name: Leon)
As recovery efforts from Trami continue, Tropical Cyclone Kong-Rey further intensified over the Philippine Sea and strengthened to Typhoon status. Forecasts indicate that Kong-Rey will move west-northwestward, with a likely landfall on Taiwan's eastern coast by the afternoon or evening of Thursday, 31 October. While the primary path is towards Taiwan, the possibility of Kong-Rey making landfall in Batangas remains, which requires continued close monitoring.
Given the potential for Kong-Rey to impact parts of Luzon, preparedness measures remain critical in northern regions and any areas at risk of strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Mobilizing the Private Sector to Support Humanitarian Response to Trami and Kong-Rey
In response to the impacts of the two Tropical Cyclones, PDRF mobilized the private sector for widespread relief and support across regions, amounting (to date) to:
Key partners like Jollibee Group, Coca-Cola, and Manila Water played critical roles in meeting urgent needs, focusing on food assistance, logistics, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
Building Long-Term Resilience
Beyond immediate relief, PDRF's initiatives also support long-term resilience by aiding infrastructure restoration and assisting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in recovering their operations. This holistic approach, which encompasses both disaster response and community recovery, showcases the critical role of public-private partnerships in building a resilient disaster management framework, ensuring communities are better prepared for future events. You can read more about PDRF's activities here.