InterAksyon.

com The online news portal of TV5 MANILA - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday said it will maintain a red alert status as a new cyclone is affecting some areas with Public Storm Signal No. 1 in Mindanao. The NDRRMC Operations Center is still on red alert to continuously monitor the situation, NDRRMC Executive Director Eduardo del Rosario said. He said all disaster units in Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur have been alerted to implement pre-emptive evacuation of residents if necessary and most specially for the local government units to help other government agencies prepare evacuation centers and prepositioning of relief goods. Based on the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), tropical depression Wilma may make landfall on Thursday and then exit through Sulu Sea to the West Philippine Sea. Vinta damage Meanwhile, del Rosario said the cost of damage from the recent typhoon Vinta rose to P207,064,258.46 (infrastructure at P1,345,000 and agriculture at P205,719,258.46) in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) and Ilocos Norte (Region 1). The typhoon damaged 28,220 houses (3,574 totally and 24,646 partially) in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, and Apayao. It also affected 220,443 persons (44,555 families). Vinta killed three persons, injured one, while two are still missing. Power outtage continued to be experienced in the towns of Ballesteros, Sta. Praxedes, Abulog, Pamplona, Sanchez Mira, Claveria, Aparri, Lasam, Gattaran, Allacapan, Lal-lo, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Sta. Teresita, Gonzaga, and Sta. Ana, all in Cagayan, because of the ongoing restoration of electricity lines that were toppled by the typhoon. Restoration of power lines in some areas in Apayao and Ilocos Norte are almost complete, the NDRRMC said