Nearly 300 people are dead and thousands of families stranded in three coastal municipalities in Quezon province of the Philippines in the aftermath of tropical depression Winnie, according to the most recent reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

World Vision, which is currently preparing for relief distribution, reports that thousands of people are currently stranded, as at least 13 miles of road to Quezon remain impassable. "Electricity and communications lines have not been restored, thus, relatives of victims have difficulty of verifying their present condition," World Vision reported Wednesday.

At least three bridges were damaged. The Philippine military and government agencies are working overtime to clear the roads.

World Vision reports that its relief team, headed by Luzon Ministry Area Coordinator Minnie Portales, is currently waiting for the opportunity to enter flooded areas in Real municipality. At the WV Philippines national office, relief packs for at least a thousand families are being prepared for distribution.

Deputy Director Dan Lucero said World Vision is closely coordinating with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) for the immediate distribution of the relief assistance to victims. Presently, the NDCC is the only access to the affected areas, with the assistance of the Philippine Coast Guards and the Philippine Navy.

Local and national government officials have appealed to organizations and private agencies for relief. Currently, the most urgent needs of the victims are food, clothes, safe drinking water and medicine. The relief and evacuation centers are also in dire need of medical volunteers and rescuers to sustain the continued relief operations, World Vision reports.

Meanwhile, as heavy rains continue to ravage the flooded areas, the agency says accounts of residents whose families got drowned and swept to the open sea has made the situation even more painful. Many residents blame the continued forest denudation for the tragedy.

Along with Quezon province, many parts of the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, and Metro Manila areas were also severely affected.




Kenneth Chan
Ecumenical Press