VZCZCXRO5102
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #4877/01 3380922
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040922Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4144
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 004877 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS 
STATE PASS USAID 
STATE PASS USDA/FAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR CASC SENV SOCI RP
SUBJECT:  Typhoon Reming Casualties Over 1000 in Southern Luzon 
 
REF:  A) Manila 4544   B) Manila 4241 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  Heavy rains from Typhoon Reming on November 30 caused the 
massive flow of volcanic debris from the slopes of recently erupted 
Mount Mayon in the southern Luzon province of Albay.  The mudslides 
buried villages and outlying homes and farms, leaving over 1000 
people dead or missing and causing millions of dollars in property 
damage.  At present, there are no reported deaths or injuries of 
American citizens.  President Arroyo declared a "state of natural 
calamity" and released $20 million in government funds for relief 
and rehabilitation.  She will visit affected areas on December 5. 
The Ambassador discussed the tragedy with Philippine Red Cross 
President Senator Gordon on December 2, expressing U.S. sympathy and 
support.  The Embassy has announced $250,000 in assistance to World 
Vision and the Red Cross.  The Embassy issued a Warden Notice 
November 29 and undertook extensive preparations before the typhoon 
struck.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Embassy Preparations and Response 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  The Philippines suffered another direct hit from a super-typhoon 
when Typhoon Reming (international name Durian) struck the island of 
Luzon on November 30 and brought heavy rains and winds up to 220 
kilometers per hour.  Embassy learned a typhoon was moving toward 
the Philippines and issued a Management Notice on November 29 
notifying personnel to board doors and windows; check water tanks, 
radios, and flashlights; stock up on batteries, candles, water, and 
food; and remove outdoor furniture and objects.  Embassy personnel 
conducted leak tests, filled water tanks, trimmed trees, reserved 
hotel rooms, and issued guidance on possible Mission closure and the 
availability of emergency quarters and other support for families 
facing hardship.  Simultaneously with our Management Notice, Embassy 
issued a Warden Notice on November 29 warning the public that a 
tropical depression east of the Philippine Islands might develop 
into a Category 4 strength typhoon within 24 to 48 hours.  The 
Philippine Department of Education closed all schools on Luzon for 
the following day; international schools announced that evening they 
would be closed November 30 as well. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
Typhoon Reming Triggers Deadly Mudslides 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  With forecasters predicting the typhoon would not reach Manila 
until late evening on November 30, Embassy remained open for 
business and continued to conduct tests of the telephone tree and 
warden system, re-issue lists of neighbors to all community wardens, 
alert temporary visitors, and hold preparatory meetings.  The 
Embassy, schools, government offices, and banks closed for a local 
holiday on Friday, December 1.  Although the Embassy braced for the 
full brunt of the typhoon, Manila was spared any serious damage.  It 
became clear over the weekend, however, that the typhoon severely 
damaged the provinces of Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Mindoro, 
Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Batangas, and Laguna. 
 
¶4.  The southern Luzon province of Albay in Region 5 suffered the 
greatest number of casualties and the most extensive damage.  The 
heavy rains triggered a massive flow of recently deposited ash, mud, 
and volcanic rock from the slopes of Mount Mayon, which had a minor 
eruption in July.  The lahar buried entire communities and outlying 
houses and farms surrounding the volcano.  Throughout the three-day 
weekend, Embassy officers and locally-employed staff worked to 
obtain reports and names of casualties from the National Disaster 
Coordinating Council (NDCC), and checked names against passport 
records.  At present, there appear to be no Amcit victims. 
Embassy's post-storm assessment determined there was no damage to 
facilities or infrastructure. 
 
--------------------- 
Casualties and Damage 
--------------------- 
 
¶5.  The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported the 
following casualty and damage estimates as of 6:00 a.m. on Monday, 
December 4: 
 
Casualties:  425 dead, 507 injured, and 599 missing. 
 
Affected Population:  The typhoon affected over a million persons 
from 1420 communities in the 98 municipalities and nine cities of 
Regions 4-A, 4-B, and 5.  At present, there are over 20,000 evacuees 
 
MANILA 00004877  002 OF 002 
 
 
in 72 centers. 
 
Damage:  The typhoon demolished about 40,000 homes and partially 
damaged more than 100,000.  The NDCC initially estimated $5 million 
damage to agriculture, mainly coconut groves and banana trees, and 
$500,000 damage to infrastructure, such as roads, power lines, and 
schools. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Condolences and Pledges of Assistance 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  The magnitude of the destruction caused by Typhoon Reming did 
not register immediately.  The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) 
issued an appeal for local and international donations on December 
2, two days after the typhoon struck.  The PNRC requested basic food 
and household items and construction materials and set up a bank 
account to receive monetary donations.  As of December 4, the PNRC 
has received 40,000 euros ($53,000) from the Netherlands Red Cross, 
100,000 Swiss Francs ($84,000) from the International Federation of 
the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and one million Canadian dollars 
($874,000) from the Canadian Government.  The PNRC noted that New 
Zealand had also pledged assistance. 
 
¶7.  On December 3, President Arroyo declared a "state of natural 
calamity" and released $20 million in government funds for relief 
and rehabilitation.  The Director of NDCC confirmed to JUSMAG 
representatives at 5:00 p.m. on December 3 that "no requests for 
international assistance are being considered at this time."  The 
statement from Malacanang Palace thanked those countries offering 
humanitarian assistance and the following foreign dignitaries for 
their condolences: 
 
Pope Benedict XVI 
Russian President Vladimir Putin 
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf 
Heads of foreign ministries of Spain and Canada 
 
¶8.  Based on the still-emerging casualty counts and destruction 
reports, the Philippines is likely to require and request greatly 
expanded international assistance.  The Embassy has announced USG 
assistance channeled through USAID of $250,000 -- $200,000 for World 
Vision and $50,000 to the Philippine National Red Cross.  USAID is 
also looking at the possibility of a flight of relief goods from its 
OFDA regional stockpile.  The Ambassador spoke with PNRC President 
Senator Dick Gordon on December 2 to express sympathy and reassure 
him of our willingness to support the emergency effort.  Armed 
Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Esperon told 
Ambassador that President Arroyo will visit the typhoon-affected 
areas on December 5. 
 
Kenney