ZAMBOANGA CITY — Close to 200 families have been displaced by storm surge triggered by Tropical Storm Paolo in Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Bongao reported that the storm surge happened Thursday evening, hitting three coastal villages.
Of the total affected families, the Bongao MDRRMO said that 71 families are from Barangay Lamion; 63 from Tubig Tanah; and 47 from Sumandagit.
The displaced families are housed at the covered courts of Barangays Tubig Tanah and Pag-asa.
The municipal government has assisted the displaced families with initial supply of water and biscuits as they arrive at the evacuation centers.
On Friday morning, they were provided with hot porridge (aroz caldo).
The municipal government is also giving food packs to the displaced families.
Most of the Western Mindanao area had been experiencing inclement weather condition since Sunday brought about by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and with the entry of Typhoon Paolo into the Philippine Area of Responsibility.