The government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation

Agency (JICA), turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) P9 million worth of relief goods. Singapore, for its part, has sent US$50,000 worth of relief supplies including medicines, food, blankets, and tents. South Korea, Malaysia and others have pledged help. China donated $200,000 to the government’s rescue and relief operations in Bicol.

The government of France, through Minister of Foreign Affairs Philippe Douste-Blazy, also provided support by donating 100,000 Euros, or P6.6 million aid.

In Albay, the hardest hit province where more than 1,000 are dead or missing because of mudslides caused by heavy rains near Mt. Mayon, shops have started reopening and telephone lines are back up, but reconstruction in the impoverished province could take years, officials said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had declared a state of national calamity and ordered the release of P1 billion to hardest-hit areas in Bicol, owing to the unprecedented three successive super typhoons that plowed into the country in the last three months.

She appealed to Filipinos to join hands in helping their countrymen in the Bicol region cope with the tragedy.

“This will take several years to get us fully functioning again,” Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzales said. Gonzales pointed out the vast tracts of land planted with coconut, the province’s main agricultural product, are now covered in volcanic debris.

The powerful typhoon, Reming, had dumped heavy rains over Albay, dislodging thousands of tons of volcanic ash and rocks from its slopes. The debris buried over 700 villages, leaving more than 1,200 people dead or missing.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said some 550 bodies have been received but that 740 are still missing and that 76,247 people have been reported injured.

 The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said the disaster destroyed or damaged 250,000 houses and affected 1.54 million people, nearly 83,000 of whom had sought refuge at evacuation centers.

Damage to buildings, infrastructure and agriculture is estimated at P1.2 billion. “The magnitude of the disaster is so huge that even our economy will be affected for years,” Gonzales said.

“Some of the villages that were buried were not in the slopes. So this was a phenomenon that in a way was not anticipated, “ the governor said.

NaFFAA said you may send donations to the Philippine National Red Cross through: Metrobank Port Area Branch

 1) Peso Account Account name: The Philippine National Red Cross Account number: 151 - 3 - 041 - 63122 - 8 - MBTC

2) Dollar Account Account name: The Philippine National Red Cross Account number: 151 - 2 - 151 - 00218 - 2 Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

To donate directly to the Red Cross, contact c/o Sec. Gen. Corazon Alma De Leon National Headquarters Bonifacio Drive, Port Area Manila 2803, Philippines For further information, you may contact the following: Ms. Gwendolyn T. Pang, Director of Fund Generation Department phone : + 632.527.0000 loc. 159 / +632.525.5654 (8 :00am to 5:00pm) mobile phone : + 63.917.827.7421 (24 X 7) email : gwenpang@redcross.org.ph

* Mr. Richard M. Villena, OIC of Corporate Partnership Unit

 phone : +632.527.0000 loc. 114 (8 :00am to 5:00pm)

mobile phone : +63.917.882.5776 (24 X 7)

email : fundgeneration@redcross.org.ph

* Fund Generation Department (8:00am to 5:00pm)

Ms. Thelma Aguilus : Telefax +63.2.404.0979

Ms. Edna Andales : Telefax +63.2.527.0575

* PNRC Operation Center (24 X 7) phone: +63.2.527.0000 / +63.2.527.0864 / +63.2.527.0865 /

mobile phone: +63.917.806.8513