Pool resources to help typhoon victims, House Speaker urges solons

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles urged all members of the House of Representatives to pool the resources together to initially come up with material assistance to the numerous victims of typhoon Ondoy which wrought havoc to a wide area of the country.

"We should immediately pass the hat around and pool our available resources, both personal and official, in cash or in kind, to help the Philippine National Red Cross in its relief operations to help out the flood victims," Nograles said.

Noting the serious vulnerability of the country to natural disasters, Nograles said there is a need to reevaluate the nation's disaster preparedness plan in coordination with the Local Government Units to improve government capabilities to meet contingencies during emergencies.

"The widespread flooding has brought to fore the weaknesses of our preparedness programs. People and government must work together and commit ourselves to meet future challenges and eventualities," Nograles said.

The House leader also lauded the efforts of the national government, particularly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, for immediately mobilizing government resources to alleviate the plight of the victims.

"President Arroyo and Secretary Teodoro are personally and closely coordinating all government agencies led by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, National Defense and the military, in the rescue and relief operations," he noted.

Nograles said the immediate proclamation of a state of calamity covering the affected areas promptly allowed the national and local government to release the needed funds to defray the expenses for the relief operations.

"We are very appreciative of the immediate and on going relief operations by the private sector, especially the leading televisions and radio networks, for their efforts to gather and coordinate donations from all sectors, including the distribution, to those who most needed assistance," Nograles said.

"Ondoy is far worse than typhoon Katrina. The damage to life and property and infrastructure, as per latest reports, is just unthinkable," Nograles added.

Ketsana is the international codename of typhoon Ondoy. (Gil Bugaoisan)

Ketsana cancels jet flights; passengers stranded in Manila

Stranded passengers braved hunger and the cold weather at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2. Flights were either canceled or delayed as typhoon Ketsana strikes Metro Manila. At least 73 people were dead and more than 300,000 are displaced by the typhoon.(Photo by Karlos Manlupig)

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 28, 2009) – Dozens of people were killed and at least 32 others are missing as typhoon Ketsana headed Monday to Vietnam.

The typhoon left a trail of destruction in the Philippines, leaving more than 300,000 people either without homes or affected by flash floods. Many areas in Metro Manila are submerged and rescuers were plucking out people on rooftops and trees.

Electricity was cut in flooded areas and classes in many schools were suspended until further notice from Education officials. Many people were also stranded in airports and seaports across the country.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said close to 8,000 people had been rescued since Saturday.

Ketsana was one of the worst typhoons that hit the Philippines in recent years. (With a report from Karlos Manlupig)

Vietnamese ship runs aground in Zamboanga City

A Vietnamese cargo ship, M/V Tan Bhino5, bound for China ran aground on Saturday, September 26, 2009 after huge waves and strong winds brought about by the tropical storm Ketsana battered the vessel off Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines. The ship was sailing to Zamboanga del Sur province to load manganese when it ran aground. Many areas in the country, including the capital Manila is submerged in flood after daylong rain showers. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 26, 2009) – A Vietnamese cargo vessel ran aground on Saturday after huge waves and strong winds brought about by tropical storm Ketsana battered the vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the ship, M/V Tan Binho5, was supposed to sail to the town of Malangas in Zamboanga del Sur province to load manganese before heading to China.

“The ship ran aground because of the big waves and strong winds. We have no reports of injuries. The cargo ship was supposed to sail to Malangas to load manganese and then head to China,” said Coast Guard PO1 Liberty Servo.

The storm flooded many areas in Zamboanga City and several small boats anchored in coastal villages were destroyed. More than 200 families were also affected by flash floods in Zamboanga City.

In Manila, streets were also flooded and television news pictures showed many people stranded in some areas in the cities of Malabon and Navotas. (Mindanao Examiner)