Government ready to assist families of Filipinos
who died in Ukraine plane crash
The government made an assurance on Saturday
that it is ready to extend assistance to the families of Filipinos who died in
a plane crash in Ukraine especially in bringing home their remains.
Three Filipinos were confirmed to have died in
the crash on Friday after Malaysian airliner bound for Kuala Lumpur was shot
down in Ukraine.
The families of those who died wants assistance
from the government in facilitating for their repatriation.
"Handa naman po tayong mag-extend ng
ganitong assistance. Normally, we do extend repatriation assistance to the
loved ones of our Filipinos who may have perished in other countries,"
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
Valte also said the government will extend help
if the families wish to go to Malaysia or The Netherlands to arrange for
bringing home their loved ones.
"Kung sakaling nanaisin po nilang pumunta
either sa Malaysia or sa Netherlands, handa rin po tayong magbigay ng tulong
kung sakaling kailangan po nila ng passports or ng mga visas," Valte said.
The Philippine government also has no
information whether the remains of the three Filipinos were recovered from the
crash site because of the ongoing unrest in the area.
Valte said investigations have to establish
first who controls that region to recover the bodies. And there will be
difficulty doing that due to instability in the eastern part of Ukraine.
There is a Consulate General of the Philippines
in Kiev, Ukraine and there is a Philippine embassy based in Russia, who may
assist in facilitating repatriations, Valte said.
The President has been informed about the crash
on Friday and the deaths of the three Filipinos, according to Valte. The
President extended his condolences to all the affected families.
"Rest assured that the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) is coordinating with our embassies abroad to ensure the
speedy release of information," the Valte said.
Two hundred ninety eight people died Friday when
according to authorities, the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 was hit by a
Russian-made anti-aircraft missile over eastern Ukraine. The area is controlled
by pro-Russia separatists.
American authorities said it is highly likely
that the anti-aircraft missile was launched by the separatists being supported
by Russia.
Both the Ukrainian government as well as the
pro-Russia separatists denied shooting down the Malaysian airliner. PND (as)
Power will soon be fully restored in Metro
Manila, nearby provinces, says Palace
The Palace assured Metro Manila residents that
power will soon be restored in areas that still have no electricity.
In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy
presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the energy department and Manila
Electric Co. (Meralco) gave an overview on the power situation in the metro and
nearby provinces.
Although Meralco is working hard there are areas
that remains without power, Valte said.
The power situation as of Friday 8 pm is as
follows:
Among the areas Meralco is concentrating include
Paombong, Bulacan, with 94 percent power restored; Obando, 90 percent;
Paranaque, 75 percent; Navotas, 95 percent; Las Pinas, 59 percent and
Muntinlupa, 46 percent.
In Diliman, Quezon City, there is 79 percent
restoration of power, Valte said. In Batasan, 81 percent; and Tandang Sora, 72
percent.
The power interruption in Metro Manila was due
to Typhoon Glenda that hit the National Capital Region Wednesday this week. PND
(as)
Malacanang warns public on Typhoon Henry
The Palace cautioned the public after another
weather disturbance entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Friday.
"Bantayan lang po natin ang mga warning ng
PAGASA dahil ang tropical storm 'Henry' ay nakapasok na ng PAR so kahit siguro
hindi pa tayo nakakaramdam ng maraming pag-ulan ay maghanda na lang din
tayo," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail said in an interview over
dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
Good preparation was able to minimize casualties
and damage to properties when Typhoon Glenda struck the country on Wednesday
this week, according to Valte.
Typhoon Henry, which entered the PAR Friday
morning, will have no direct effect on the country because it is not expected
to make landfall, according to PAGASA.
Although the recent tropical cyclone will not
hit landmass, it will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat which translates
to more chances of rains, PAGASA said.
Typhoon Henry is currently moving in a slow pace
with a lesser chance of hitting landmass and with similar track as tropical
cyclone 'Florita,' the first typhoon experienced by the country this July. PND
(as)
