The government has so far provided some PHP487.1 million worth of assistance to three regions affected by the El Niño phenomenon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.

The amount of assistance consists of family food packs, financial aid, fuel, galvanized sheets, generator sets, and hygiene kits given to affected residents in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, according to the disaster body’s latest situation report.

Agriculture damage was estimated at PHP1.23 billion in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Meanwhile, affected farmers and fisher folks in these regions were placed at 29,409 while affected crop areas were estimated at 26,731.4 hectares.

Earlier, the El Niño Task Force, chaired by Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., also directed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure the fire safety of all public hospitals and public health facilities in the country.

Teodoro stressed the need to reduce the overall risk of fire-related incidents, accidents, and emergencies, most especially in all public hospitals and public health facilities. (PNA)