MANILA, Philippines — Around 23,755 families or 111,641 individuals in eight regions are likely to spend New Year’s Day in evacuation centers after losing their homes to widespread flooding and landslides spawned by Tropical Storm Vinta. If not seeking refuge in government-run evacuation centers, they are currently staying with their relatives, reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showed. President Duterte yesterday ordered state agencies to speed up efforts to restore normalcy in areas hit by Vinta (international name Tembin). Duterte said the helicopter had to traverse the coastal area for them to safely reach the next place he had to visit. “I could even see the still flooded area of Salvador, Lanao del Sur on the way here,” Duterte said.

Source: Philippine Star December 27, 2017 15:56 UTC