Disasters

Even MMDA chief powerless to aid daughter

Even Metro Manila’s czar who could deploy cranes, trucks and heavy equipment in a snap was rendered helpless to assist a family member, while the country’s seat of power proved powerless against Tropical Storm “Ondoy’s” fury. Widespread flooding prevented Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Bayani Fernando from getting to his only child, who was among the thousands stranded in Rizal province at the height of the storm on Saturday. Fernando said that as of early Sunday night,...

GMA orders all-out help for flood victims

President Arroyo has ordered the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to deploy all available assets of the government to assist those affected by the flooding brought about by typhoon “Ondoy.” She also appealed to residents of Metro Manila and the provinces affected by the storm to remain calm and follow the instructions of their respective local and civil defense authorities and to be ready to help others “as we manage our way ...

Lahar, landslides kill 10

MANILA, Philippines - Seven people, including three French tourists, were killed when they were swept away by lahar from Mt. Pinatubo in Capas, Tarlac, while three boys died yesterday morning when their house was buried by a landslide in Baguio City after heavy rains spawned by typhoon “Kiko” hit Luzon. Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, director of the Central Luzon police, confirmed that three French tourists, a Filipino tourist guide, a local stone cutter, a barangay tanod and anothe...

'Kiko' death toll rises to 10; 29K folks affected in Luzon

Ten people, including three foreign trekkers and three children, were killed in a flash flood and landslide unleashed by Typhoon "Kiko" (Morakot) in the northern Philippines on Friday, officials said. In its report dated 6 p.m., the NDCC said the dead included five in Tarlac, three in Baguio City, and two in Botolan town in Zambales province. At least nine were injured, including three in Baguio City and six in Tarlac. Confirmed dead were French nationals Martin Cholet, Walter Steylian and Th...

'Kiko' intensifies further, 4 areas under signal 1

Four areas have been placed under Storm Signal No. 1 as typhoon "Kiko" (Morakot) intensified further while heading for Taiwan Friday morning. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 a.m., Kiko was located 340 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes. "The provinces of Batanes, Northern Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte will experience rains and gusty winds while the rest of Northern and Central Luzon will experience monsoon rains. T...