BUTUAN CITY (November 5) – Families across the Caraga Region are spending another night in evacuation centers as Typhoon Tino continues to batter northeastern Mindanao with heavy rains and gusty winds.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported Tuesday (Nov. 4) that the typhoon has affected 43,662 families, or nearly 160,000 individuals, in 330 barangays across the region.
Of these, 23,508 families—or about 80,000 people—have been displaced, including thousands who left low-lying areas in Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
In Tubay, Agusan del Norte, evacuees were gathered at the municipal gym as early as Monday evening.
“We moved out right after the siren sounded. The river was already rising,” said Marites Balderas, a mother of three from Barangay Tinigbasan. “We just brought clothes and rice. We’re thankful the LGU helped us evacuate fast.”
According to DSWD-Caraga, at least 1,899 family food packs worth ₱1.13 million have been distributed to affected areas, including Tubay, Surigao City, and San Jose, Dinagat Islands.
Local governments continue to monitor flood-prone communities.
“Our priority is keeping everyone safe,” said Tubay Mayor Fidel Garcia Jr. “We’ve prepositioned relief goods, and our rescue teams are ready if river levels continue to rise.”
Disaster response teams have also started assessing the damage to infrastructure and agriculture, particularly in farming and coastal towns where early reports indicate flooded rice fields and damaged fishing boats.
Residents are advised to remain alert and wait for further advisories as the storm continues to move across Mindanao.
