VZCZCXRO7781
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2070/01 2730948
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 300948Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5317
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHOVQHS/COMSEVENTHFLT  IMMEDIATE
INFO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2289
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0313
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002070 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
BANGKOK FOR  USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER 
USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP 
GENEVA FOR N. KYLOH 
USUN FOR OFDA REP 
BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN 
ROME FOR USAID/OHA H. SPANOS 
SECDEF FOR SOLIC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5 
PACOM FOR J3/J4/J5 
NSC FOR P. MARCHAM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL KPAO SENV EAGR RP
SUBJECT: STILL IN SHOCK FROM TROPICAL STORM ONDOY MANILA BRACES FOR 
NEW TYPHOONS 
 
REFTELS:  A) Manila 2056 B) Manila 2049 C) Manila 2046 
 
¶1. (U) Casualties from tropical storm Ondoy (international name 
Ketsana) reached 246 dead, and 42 missing as of Wednesday, September 
¶30.  While major thoroughfares are now passable and the Manila 
international airport has reopened, all Manila public schools and 
the primary hospital in hard hit nearby Rizal province remain 
closed.  The Philippines' National Disaster Coordinating Council 
(NDCC) reports 2.3 million persons affected by flooding, nearly 
400,000 staying in 561 evacuation centers and roughly 350,000 
additional displaced persons staying with private host families. 
The NDCC estimates damages to date at almost 4.8 billion pesos ($100 
million). 
 
--------------- 
U.S. Assistance 
--------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Under the Ambassador's authority, USAID'S Office of U.S. 
Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has released $100,000 to the 
Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).  An OFDA humanitarian supplies 
flight (Aleutian -70) is tentatively scheduled to arrive on Friday, 
October 2, with non-food relief items (water containers, hygiene 
kits and tarpaulins).  These items (value estimated at about 
$390,000) will be sufficient to assist 20,000 people.  Also, two 
USAID/OFDA regional advisors are in Manila to assist with 
coordination among the Government of the Philippines, NGOs, UN 
agencies, and the US military.  They will also assess the need for 
additional resources.  We have directed various USAID bilateral 
health programs to support local government health officials in 
assessing and addressing disaster-related health care needs. 
Ambassador and USAID personnel visited a 4,000-person evacuation 
center to assist Red Cross personnel in distributing relief 
supplies. 
 
---------------------------------- 
U.S., International Firms Help Out 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) U.S. and international firms were both victims of the 
typhoon - e.g., over 10 percent of Ford Philippines' employees 
suffered heavy flood damage - as well as important relief donors. 
Ford, IBM, General Electric, Falcon Waterfree, McDonald's and Kraft 
were among the firms that provided relief funds or supplies to both 
their employees and disaster relief organizations.  The Amcham 
Foundation of the Philippines has organized a relief drive, and DHL 
Express has agreed to assist the NDCC in the distribution of relief 
supplies. 
 
------------------------------ 
Embassy Chancery at Full Power 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. (SBU) The entire Embassy compound has been reconnected to the 
commercial power grid, and laboratory tests to confirm the safety of 
drinking water from the repaired water treatment plant are due 
today.  All offices have been cleaned and disinfected, and 
telephone, non-classified and classified communications systems have 
been restored.  The U.S. Embassy Filipino Employees Association 
(USEFEA), supported by Embassy Management, is raising funds to 
assist flood-affected locally employed staff. 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Consular Section has received inquiries on behalf of 69 
American citizens believed to be stranded in various flood-stricken 
areas.  Staff has located and confirmed the well-being of 44 of 
these individuals, while 25 Americans remain unaccounted for.  Staff 
has provided information on the missing Americans to the relevant 
local authorities and continues to follow up with them for 
information.  American Citizens Services is checking casualty lists 
 
MANILA 00002070  002 OF 002 
 
 
received from NDCC against U.S. passport records, but the lists do 
not contain enough information to conclusively identify American 
citizens. 
 
¶6. (U) Post will hold an Emergency Action Committee meeting October 
1 to prepare for three storms possibly heading toward the Manila 
area.  A warden message will also be sent out. 
 
-------------------------- 
Media Reports U.S. Efforts 
-------------------------- 
 
¶7. (U) Major national and local print and electronic media 
prominently reported USG rescue and relief assistance.  The broadly 
circulated national daily Manila Bulletin featured U.S. military 
rescue operations on the front page of its September 28 issue, while 
numerous other publications, TV and radio stations described the 
deployment of U.S. troops, helicopters, rubber boats and heavy 
equipment in rescue and relief operations.  During an appearance on 
the Philippines' top TV news magazine program, Unang Hirit, the 
Ambassador described USG relief efforts and the USG's desire to work 
together with the Philippines to improve disaster preparedness. 
 
---------- 
Next Steps 
---------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) U.S. Department of Defense equipment and personnel 
participating in Talon Vision/PHIBLEX (Philippines Bilateral 
Exercise) are augmenting ongoing Philippine relief efforts.  The 
U.S. Marine Corps's trucks, engineer equipment and a 26-person 
medical team will provide a major boost to the city's struggling 
relief efforts. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) U.S. private sector and USG relief efforts will greatly add 
to the Philippine government's energetic but insufficient efforts to 
manage this large-scale disaster.  With Typhoon Pepeng 
(International Name Parma) expected in Philippine territory the 
afternoon of September 30, and a southwest monsoon expected to dump 
additional rain on Manila later this week, the arrival of U.S. 
relief supplies is well-timed. 
 
Kenney