Palace says police enough to thwart looters in
Yolanda-hit areas
The presence of the Philippine National Police
will be enough to deter looters in areas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda
(Haiyan), Malacañang maintained Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda stressed
this amid suggestions to just shoot the suspected looters.
"Siguro ang pulis dinagdagan natin to make
sure the peace and order situation in Tacloban City can be restored. Ito ang
iniutos ng Pangulo, nagpadala siya ng karagdagang kapulisan (We sent additional
police personnel to the affected areas to ensure peace and order. That's why
the President issued such an order, to send more police personnel)," he
said at a media briefing.
Added police personnel had been deployed to
Tacloban City following reports of looting and lawlessness, after the city was
devastated by typhoon Yolanda.
Lacierda pointed out that the 800 additional
police personnel will be replaced by another batch after one to two weeks, to
ensure peace and order will be maintained.
Besides, Lacierda said communication facilities
are being restored in Leyte, and roads are being cleared to allow the entry of
relief goods.
He also reassured those affected by Yolanda that
the government will not leave them even if their areas are inaccessible.
"We are not going to leave one living
person behind. Tutulungan naming sila (We'll help them) no matter how
difficult, no matter how inaccessible," Lacierda said. PND (jl)
Palace appeals for vigilance vs those repacking
relief goods
Malacañang on Tuesday appealed to the public for
vigilance against politicians or officials repacking relief goods to make it
appear the items came from them.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda encouraged
the public to take photos of such practices as part of the country's growing
"anti-epal" culture.
"Malakas ang ating anti-epal culture sa
Pilipinas. The media has been very aggressive and vigorous in making sure no
epal will take place especially in times of calamity (We already have a strong
anti-epal culture in the Philippines. The media has been very aggressive and
vigorous in making sure no epal will take place especially in times of
calamity)," he said at a media briefing.
He said that in the case of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development, it uses unmarked containers or those marked
with its logo.
Lacierda said those who see parties repacking
relief goods to make it appear they were the donors to take photos for public
censure.
The government continues to deliver relief goods
to residents affected by Yolanda, which battered parts of Visayas and Southern
Luzon last week.
It is also clearing roads and restoring power
and communication facilities to areas isolated by the typhoon. PND (jl)
Palace thanks foreign neighbors, Filipinos
abroad for help to Yolanda victims
Malacañang on Tuesday thanked the Philippines'
neighbors in the international community as well as Filipinos based abroad for
sending in assistance to victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the
show of solidarity gives Filipinos comfort and a sense that they are not alone
in their efforts to recover from the tragedy.
"Malaking bagay ang solidarity ng maraming
bansa sa Pilipinas (The solidarity shown by many countries means a lot to us).
Certainly it gives us comfort that we are not alone in this fight to
rehabilitate affected areas in providing relief goods. And therefore we are
very thankful for countries that pledged assistance to us," Lacierda said
at a media briefing.
So far, he said at least 28 of the Philippines'
neighbors have indicated or pledged help for the victims of Yolanda.
"It lifts our spirits. we know that many
countries are willing to help us. Malaking consolation yan sa atin (It's a big
consolation for us)," he added.
He said one of the latest show of solidarity was
a call by UK Prime Minister David Cameron to President Benigno S. Aquino III
last Sunday night (Manila time).
Lacierda also thanked Filipinos both at home and
abroad who had given their time and effort to help their less fortunate fellow
Filipinos.
"Yan ay isang malaking kagaanan sa ating
kalooban (This greatly lifts our spirits). In spite of struggles, we are not
alone," he said.
He added that with President Aquino's call to
keep calm and pray, "together with international assistance we shall
prevail and overcome this tragedy." PND (jl)
Foreign donors continue to offer support for
ongoing Philippine relief operations, says Palace
At least 28 countries or states have pledged
support for the ongoing relief efforts in the Philippines following the
devastation by typhoon Yolanda last week, the Palace announced Tuesday.
In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential
Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said among the donors include Australia, Belgium,
Canada, China, Denmark, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary,
Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab
Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam.
Many international organizations have also
committed their assistance, Lacierda said. These organizations include the
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Doctors without Borders, Oxfam, World
Food Programme and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs.
The Palace official expressed the country’s
gratitude to those who committed or sent their assistance for the Philippine
relief efforts.
The CNN reported that U.N. and U.S. civilian
disaster assessment teams were on the scene to help. It also said U.S. Marines
based in Japan worked to outfit Tacloban’s shattered airport with lights, radar
and other gears so the facility could operate 24 hours a day.
The United States also announced that the
aircraft carrier USS George Washington and three escort ships have been
dispatched to the Philippines to assist in recovery efforts, the CNN said.
The carrier is in Hong Kong for a port visit.
Two other American vessels, including a supply ship, are already headed for the
Phillippines, according to the report.
The network also reported that British Prime
Minister David Cameron announced Monday night that the UK government was also
sending a cargo plane and the destroyer HMS Daring to assist the Philippine
government. PND (as)
Cabinet officials already helping Yolanda
victims in own little way, Palace says
Members of President Benigno Aquino III's
Cabinet are already helping the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in
their own little way, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.
But Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda
said the Cabinet members are not likely to publicize what they have done to
help, saying this would be self-serving.
"A number of Cabinet officials had done
something not only in terms of money but in terms of time and effort," he
said at a media briefing.
However, he added that it is "not very
Filipino to say what you've done."
"We'd rather do it in confidence. We'd
rather not say what we plan to do," he said.
Meanwhile, Lacierda reiterated the government
continues to work to help the victims of Yolanda, regardless of political
affiliation.
"Nagtutulungan tayo regardless of political
affiliation (We should be helping each other regardless of political
affiliation). No Filipino would be left behind," he said. PND (jl)
Palace to rebel groups: now is the time for
solidarity, not ambushing government forces engaged in Yolanda relief work
Now is the time for solidarity, not for
ambushing government troops engaged in relief work for those affected by super
typhoon Yolanda.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
this at a media briefing, Tuesday at Malacanang where he lamented a reported
ambush by rebel groups on soldiers transporting relief goods in Bicol.
"This is a time to be in solidarity with
those people affected, and we ask those not with the same views we have, to set
aside our differences," Lacierda said.
He was referring to a reported clash between
government troops and rebels early Tuesday in Sorsogon. Two rebels were
reportedly killed in the encounter.
Lacierda also reiterated that government forces
remain in control of the situation in the affected areas, and will remain
vigilant.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines ...
will maintain its vigilance. While it continues to do human assistance, it will
not neglect its other responsibilities," he said.
Lacierda reiterated that the government is not
forgetting the other areas affected by Yolanda.
Also, he said the government is prepared for
Tropical Depression Zoraida, which is threatening parts of Visayas and
Mindanao.
Lacierda said there are prepositioned goods in
Visayas and Mindanao. PND (jl)
Adopt a village hall or school in
Yolanda-affected areas, Palace urges Filipino communities abroad
Filipino communities abroad that have ties with
areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) may want to help those affected
by adopting a barangay hall or a school, a Malacañang official suggested
Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made
the appeal amid the major rehabilitation work that looms for areas battered by
Yolanda last Nov. 9.
"Down the road, you will realize we have a
lot of rehabilitation that's going to happen, reconstruction. Maybe Filipino
organizations abroad, especially those with relations to affected areas ...
could think of ways, for instance if you are from Tacloban, you can adopt a
barangay hall or a public school," Lacierda said at a media briefing.
He added that while many organizations have been
sending cash to help those affected by Yolanda, it would be better to give help
for the long term.
"May cash na pumapasok ngayon but we should
look forward ano ang magandang gawin (We have cash coming in but we should also
look forward and see what else could be done)," he said.
Lacierda reiterated the government is ready to
have all donations coursed through it audited.
He said the Department of Foreign Affairs will
give the Palace a list of the donors, and their forms of assistance. PND (jl)
Government prepared for Typhoon Zoraida, Palace
says
Malacanang made an assurance on Tuesday that
government resources are ready to assist people along the path of Typhoon
Zoraida, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda brushed
off notions that the government just concentrates in Eastern Visayas,
prioritizing the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.
He said in a press briefing on Tuesday in
Malacanang that despite the heavy concentration in the Visayas region, the
government isn’t neglecting other areas threatened by disasters.
There are prepositioned goods in Mindanao and
troops are ready to assist people. He made an assurance that these soldiers
will not be moved to Eastern Visayas.
“Our DSWD personnel are also in place. Ang mga
tao sa Mindanao will stay put in Mindanao to anticipate the storm ‘Zoraida’.
Meron pa tayong mga prepositioned goods doon, so that will be maintained for
the effects of Typhoon ‘Zoraida’,” Lacierda said.
The PAGASA reported that Typhoon Zoraida entered
the Philippine Area of Responsibility at around 4:00 a.m. November 11, less
than two days after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) exited the PAR.
PAGASA raised Monday storm signal no. 1 in
Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del
Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. PND (as)
Government speeds up efforts to bring quick
relief to typhoon Yolanda victims
The Aquino government continues speeding up
efforts to bring quick relief to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda
(international name Haiyan), said to be the world's strongest typhoon this
year, Palace official said on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said
during the regular press briefing in Malacanang that concerned government
agencies are working together with the private sector to provide immediate aid
to communities that were devastated by the typhoon.
Citing the Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council report, Lacierda said a total of 13,519 personnel, 811
vehicles, 40 sea crafts, 24 aircrafts, and other assets/equipment from national
and local agencies, respond teams, and volunteer organizations were deployed to
strategic areas in the region to facilitate response operations as of Tuesday.
"Ang current official casualty po right now
is 1,774 dead, 2,487 injured, at saka 82 missing. A total of 1,387,446 families
(6,937,229 persons) were affected in 7,488 barangays in 39 provinces of Regions
IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, and Caraga.
A total of 66,899 families (319,867 persons) are
being served inside 1,135 evacuation centers," he said.
As of 6 a.m. Monday, three (3) roads in Regions
VI and VIII remain impassable while operations in airports in Busuanga, Roxas,
Kalibo remain suspended. He said Tacloban airport has started to operate with
limited commercial flights.
The government is doing its best to restore
order and normalcy in all affected cities and communities.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
deployed five more helicopters coming from the Central Command on Tuesday.
These helicopters will augment the six helicopters that are already performing
humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in Tacloban City.
At 4 a.m. Tuesday, Lacierda said 11 M35 trucks
left from the Philippine Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on its way to
Tacloban City to assist in the delivery of relief goods to remote areas in
Eastern Visayas. Once they arrive in Tacloban, the trucks will be under the
operational control of AFP Central Command.
Central Command reported relief goods were
delivered to Guiuan, East Samar via C130 at 6 a.m. Tuesday
As of Monday, some 300 combined engineer and
specialforces troops have been deployed to conduct road clearing operations,
with 700 troops allocated to augment them.
"In Region VI, two Navy boats—DF-341 and
DF-352—delivered goods to islands in coastal towns of Aklan and Northern Iloilo
coming from Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region VI. Two
logistical hubs in Panay were established last Saturday, one based in Iloilo
City and the other in Roxas City, conducting an average of three to four
sorties by five helicopters," Lacierda said.
"Dito po sa DSWD, ang total cost of
assistance provided to the typhoon victims amount to P34.57-million coming from
DSWD, LGUs, NGOs, and other government organizations. The DSWD provided
P20.32-million worth of assistance. Itong mga assistance po na ito cover
Regions IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, and CARAGA," he said. PND
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