World | Philippines
Philippine Air Force on alert for typhoon relief and rescue
Disaster management officials raced to bring relief to areas affected by Typhoon Fengshen on Sunday as 229 people were reported dead.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 23:54 June 22, 2008
Manila: Disaster management officials raced to bring relief to areas affected by Typhoon Fengshen on Sunday as 229 people were reported dead.
"We have alerted the Air Force and a C-130 cargo plane is now on standby ready to fly once the sky clears. We might have to airdrop some of the relief materials to the affected areas, especially in the island of Panay," Senator Richard Gordon, who also chairs the Philippine National Red Cross, said during a press briefing held by key officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Gordon said the United States had already committed to take part in providing relief to the disaster victims and had promised participation of American military in giving aid.
"US officials have committed the use of their utility helicopters in bringing aid to remote areas," he said.
Barely 24 hours since Fengshen made landfall in the Western Mindanao region authorities have their hands full in attending to the areas affected by the category 3 tropical cyclone.
Fengshen had rendered thousands of people homeless in Maguindanao and adjacent provinces on Saturday, on Sunday the weather disturbance continued to dump heavy in the Western Visayas region and the main island of Luzon including Metro Manila.
Western Visayas bore the brunt of the typhoon's fury rains as the region was lashed by the cyclone's 140 km/h winds and heavy rains.
State of calamity
In Iloilo City, Vice-Mayor Jed Mabilog was quoted as saying that about 20,000 people were affected. Most of them were forced to clamber up the roofs of their houses to escape the rushing floodwaters.
"We are appealing for any kind of help," Mabilog said, noting that the city council had declared a state of calamity in the city.
In Metro Manila, large parts of the national capital region were flooded as a result of overnight rains that continued until the evening.
Transport ground to a virtual standstill as bus and mini-buses are stranded by flash floods while one of the three elevated rail transits, the Metro Rail Transport, was forced to stop service due to power interruption.
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Over 800 missing in Philippines
Philippine rescuers find no sign of survivors at site of capsized ferry
-
Pope prays for victims of sunken ferry
Pope prays for victims of sunken Philippine ferry
-
Worried Filipinos can contact Consulate
Filipinos can contact Consulate for info on typhoon casualties
News Editor's choice
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
-
The walking MP
Rory Stewart's long walk in life has taken a new turn
-
What drives Africa's new kind of refugees?
Warming-driven factors have led many in the continent to flee their homes
