VZCZCXRO8044
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2231/01 2960925
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 230925Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5504
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHOVQHS/COMSEVENTHFLT  IMMEDIATE
INFO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2310
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0334
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 002231 
 
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: PHILIPPINES RETHINKS DISASTER STRATEGY AS TYPHOON NEARS 
LUZON 
 
REFTELS:  A) Manila 2155 B) Manila 2140 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  Threatened by a third typhoon in four weeks, the 
Philippine government has prepositioned emergency supplies, 
equipment and personnel in northern Luzon in the event Typhoon Ramil 
(international name Lupit) makes landfall there this weekend.  U.S. 
military forces and equipment from the recently concluded 
Philippines Bilateral Exercise (TALON VISION/PHIBLEX), many of whom 
assisted victims of earlier storms, remain in the area to respond to 
a possible request for humanitarian assistance from the Philippine 
government.  USAID has contributed over $6 million in aid to date, 
and continues to provide humanitarian assistance to flood victims. 
In a discussion with the Ambassador October 22, President Arroyo 
voiced deep appreciation for U.S. assistance, and Secretary of 
National Defense Teodoro lauded the outstanding contributions of 
U.S. military and assistance agencies.  The Philippine government is 
restructuring its disaster relief bureaucracy, and the U.S. Mission 
is engaged on long term recovery options.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
"Done Everything Possible to Prepare for Typhoon Ramil" 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) While still recovering from the massive destruction 
inflicted by tropical storm Ondoy (international name Ketsana) and 
Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) (reftels A and B), which left more than 850 
dead and caused hundreds of millions in damage, Philippine 
authorities are prepositioning relief supplies, equipment, and 
personnel in those areas of northern Luzon likely to be hit by 
Typhoon Ramil(Lupit) this weekend.  National Disaster Coordinating 
Council (NDCC) spokesmen reported that government agencies had 
delivered 114,000 kilograms of food and non-food items to local 
field offices, prepositioned medical support in northern Luzon 
hospitals and brought seven inflatable boats and three 20-ton trucks 
to northern Luzon.  According to NDCC reports, approximately 40,000 
police, firefighters, and public works personnel are on call in 
targeted areas.  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has 
activated its primary disaster relief battalion, and the Philippine 
Air Force has positioned two cargo aircraft to deliver relief 
supplies to the northern Batan Islands, likely to suffer the brunt 
of the storm.  NDCC spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr. noted that 
"we've done everything possible to prepare for Typhoon Ramil." 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
U.S. Troops Finish Exercises, Poised to Help 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶3. (SBU) U.S. military units, many of whom assisted victims of 
tropical storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng (reftels A and B), concluded 
participation in the Philippines Bilateral Exercise (TALON 
VISION/PHIBLEX) on October 22 and elements remain in place pending a 
possible request for humanitarian assistance from the Philippine 
government.  The U.S. naval vessels Harpers Ferry, Tortuga, and 
Denver, currently docked at Subic Bay, possess helicopter lift 
capability and could be deployed to northern Luzon upon request. 
Some elements of the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) 
ground and air assets and personnel are also in place to respond to 
a request for assistance. 
 
-------------------------------- 
USAID Assistance Tops $6 Million 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) To date, USAID has provided approximately $6 million to aid 
victims of previous storms, including $4 million in grants to relief 
organizations, $700,000 in non-food supplies, and $500,000 for 
logistics and transportation support.  Water, sanitation, and 
hygiene are current priorities.  USAID is supporting the provision 
of latrines in evacuation centers and flooded areas, the improvement 
 
MANILA 00002231  002 OF 002 
 
 
of water delivery systems, and hygiene education, and plans an 
additional $1 million in assistance towards meeting these needs.  In 
addition, 720 metric tons of vegetable oil worth $1.2 million from 
USAID's Food for Peace program are scheduled to arrive in the next 
few days. In recognition of its expertise, the Philippine government 
has requested that USAID join the UN/Philippine government water 
cluster technical working group to assess water issues, including 
water borne disease.  In recent weeks, almost 140 people have died 
and 2,000 have been hospitalized as a result of leptospirosis, an 
infectious bacterial disease facilitated by unsanitary conditions 
brought about by Ondoy flooding. 
¶5. (SBU) In cooperation with the Philippines Department of Education 
, USAID is assessing the damage to schools in Metro Manila and is 
prepared to provide assistance in the form of rehabilitation, 
classroom furniture, and educational materials. 
¶6. (SBU) The Consular Section issued a warden message regarding 
Typhoon Ramil (Lupit) on October 19.  To date staff has received no 
reports or inquiries of American citizens in areas of northern Luzon 
expected to be impacted by Typhoon Ramil (Lupit). 
-------------------------------------------- 
Government Restructuring Disaster Management 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) During a U.S. business event October 22, President Gloria 
Macapagal Arroyo expressed deep gratitude to the Ambassador for the 
wide array of help provided by the U.S. government to storm victims. 
 Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro lauded the U.S. 
effort in a breakfast meeting that same day with the Ambassador, 
citing the superb contributions of U.S. military forces as well as 
USAID and other U.S. agencies. 
¶8. (SBU) The Philippine government is considering various measures 
to improve its disaster response capabilities.  One bill recently 
passed by the lower house - The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction 
Act - would replace the current NDCC, which convenes only when need 
arises, with a permanent body, the National Disaster Risk Reduction 
Management Council (NDRRMC).  Supporters contend that the NDRRMC 
would be more proactive in terms of risk management, as full-time 
staff could focus on longer-term issues, including urban planning. 
The executive branch is also considering two executive orders to 
mitigate flooding and flood damage.  One order would relocate 
residents of flood-prone areas near waterways, while the other would 
create a river basin council composed of dam operators and local 
governments of downstream watersheds to coordinate water release 
from dams. 
------------------------------------------- 
Next Steps: Beyond Relief to Reconstruction 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) Post, in consultation with USAID/OFDA and the U.S. 
military, is considering a number of future disaster preparedness 
options.  Visiting World Food Program (WFP) Head, Josette Sheeran, 
told Ambassador and Acting USAID Mission Director that WFP believes 
immediate relief assistance will be needed for several more months. 
Post is also engaging international organizations in discussions 
regarding long term recovery measures.  For example, USAID has 
offered to provide technical support to the World Bank Post-Disaster 
Needs Assessment (PDNA) team, which is currently assessing the 
Philippines' long- term reconstruction requirements.  In preparation 
for the approaching Typhoon Ramil (Lupit), USAID/OFDA staff has 
extended their stay in country to monitor the situation and 
coordinate a possible USG response. 
Kenney