Recent Floods and Landslides Damage Eastern Philippines

UNCLAS MANILA 000513 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS STATE PASS USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SOCI EAGR SENV RP SUBJECT: Recent Floods and Landslides Damage Eastern Philippines ¶1. Summary: Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides in parts of Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Northwestern Mindanao in the Philippines, resulting in deaths and property damage. National and local governmental authorities are providing shelters and monetary relief. Embassy Manila is monitoring the situation and does not suggest USG assistance at this time. End Summary. ¶2. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the heavy rains that lashed several parts of the country are an effect of the La Nia phenomenon, which has been prevailing since the first half of January and is forecast to persist until August 2008. Nearly a million people have been affected as a strong low pressure system from February 12 - 17 dumped heavy rains in Luzon's Bicol Region; the Provinces of Oriental Mindoro, which is just below the southwest coast of Luzon island; Capiz in the Visayas; and Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, and Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao. Residual rains continue to add to the growing number of injuries, deaths, and crop and infrastructure damage. ¶3. As of February 27, the Philippines' National Disaster Coordinating Council reports that the continuous rains affected a total of 873,009 people and resulted in 45 deaths, 31 injuries, and eight missing persons. 41,472 people are in evacuation centers and 362,253 people are staying in host communities or with relatives. Additionally, the disaster has destroyed 2,001 houses and partially damaged 3,740 houses. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture is estimated at $32.8 million. ¶4. Eastern Samar was particularly hard hit with 173,969 people affected, including 14 deaths and 15 injuries. At the regional level, Eastern Visayas, which includes Eastern Samar, an isolated area already plagued by poverty, incurred the most infrastructure and agricultural damage, totaling $18.7 million. ¶5. On February 23, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo flew to Eastern Samar to assess relief operations and released $75,000. She promised each Eastern Visayas congressman an additional $75,000 for their constituents. As of February 27, relief assistance from local and national agencies and various NGOs for the victims of flooding and landslides reached nearly $202,000. ¶6. PAGASA forecasts light to moderate rains in the eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas until the weekend of March 1, but does not predict any tropical cyclones. Embassy Manila will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, Post does not recommend USG disaster assistance. The national and local government authorities, as well as private relief groups, are providing adequate assistance to affected population, and the Philippine government has not called for outside assistance. ¶7. In May and June 2008, as part of PACOM's Pacific Partnership, personnel from the USNS MERCY ship will be airlifted to Eastern Samar to conduct medical, dental, and engineering projects. KENNEY