VZCZCXRO8595
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #0111 0160915
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 160915Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2915
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 3061
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 000111 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS 
STATE PASS USAID 
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER 
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI EAGR SENV RP
SUBJECT: Heavy Rains Inundate the Philippines 
 
¶1.  Summary.  Flood waters have inundated large areas in Eastern and 
Southern Philippines, killing several people, destroying property, 
and displacing thousands of families.  About 300,000 people have 
been impacted. End summary. 
 
¶2.  The tail-end of a cold front has caused continuous rains since 
January 3, 2009 and resulted in flooding, flashfloods, landslides, 
high tides, and storm surges, and sea mishaps in nine eastern and 
southern provinces of the Philippines.  Catanduanes Province in 
Eastern Luzon, Northern Samar province in Eastern Vasayas, and 
Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao have been particularly hard hit.  As 
of January 15, 2009, the National Disaster Coordinating Council 
reported that over 300,000 people have been impacted in five cities 
and 13 provinces, with more than 40,000 of those evacuated.  The 
Council reported 18 confirmed deaths and 541 houses totally 
destroyed.  The Philippine National Red Cross reported higher 
figures on January 14, 2009: 600 destroyed houses and 44,823 
individuals at evacuation centers in Mindanao alone.  The United 
Nations is conducting an assessment and will report the week of 
January 19. 
 
¶3. The National Disaster Coordinating Council's January 15 report 
estimated $1 million in crop damage and $600,000 in infrastructure 
damage in affected provinces.  The Regional Disaster Coordinating 
Council in Cagayan de Oro City estimated the damage to agriculture 
and infrastructure at over $1 million with destroyed crops 
accounting for most of this amount.  Some local government units are 
having difficulty coping with this rare event, since their 2009 
budgets have not been approved, which makes it difficult to locate 
resources to respond. 
 
¶4.  The government of the Philippines has not issued a calamity 
declaration.  Philippine local and national governments and its 
agencies have established evacuation centers, spearheaded rescue 
operations, provided food and relief goods, and repaired 
infrastructure.  Local government units and disaster coordinating 
councils at the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels have 
all been active.  The Philippine National Red Cross issued a public 
appeal for assistance for flash flooding in Mindanao. The World Food 
Program and World Vision are providing limited food aid and relief 
support to people in the evacuation centers. 
 
¶5.  There are no reports of American citizen deaths or injuries as a 
result of the rain-induced events.  USG-funded projects have been 
affected in Cagayan de Oro, and have been temporarily suspended due 
to heavy flooding. 
 
¶6. Post's assessment is that the Philippine authorities are capable 
of addressing the current relief needs and USG assistance is not 
warranted at this time.  If the rains continue, the resources of the 
Philippine authorities will be heavily taxed and the government of 
the Philippines may issue a calamity declaration and ask for 
international assistance. 
 
KENNEY