Government agencies are scrambling to find shelter, food and basic supplies for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the floods. Television stations, schools, churches and private groups have appealed nationwide for donations as the country struggles to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ketsana.
The storm brought heavy rains to the northern Philippines Saturday, inundating most of the capital Manila and surrounding provinces. Surging water washed away buildings and cars. Scores of people were killed and many are still missing.
Authorities say they are overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro says the government is doing everything it can to help.
"Those who are still in their homes and do not want to leave we would push basic necessities to them as fast as possible," Teodoro said. But the government has yet to officially appeal for international assistance, relying on help from relief agencies in the country.
Vilma Cabrera is assistant secretary of the Philippine Social Welfare Department, the agency in charge of relief operations.
"Right now we need mats, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils. We need hygiene kits and we need flashlights and lighting equipments," Cabrera said. Two days after the flooding, rescue and relief operations continue to be hampered by the lack of rubber boats and helicopters.
Many victims are demanding answers from local authorities for the lack of advance warning and the slow response to the emergency. Victims said they were stranded on their rooftops for hours before help arrived.
The disaster comes at a sensitive time in the Philippines, less than a year before national elections. The defense secretary has been nominated by the ruling coalition as its presidential candidate.
Flood waters in some areas subsided Monday but thousands of homes are still without power. People have been warned of water-borne diseases. Schools are closed until Tuesday and many offices remain shut.
Several storms lash the Philippines every year. Tropical Storm Ketsana was not one of the strongest, but it brought large amounts of rain. A month's worth of rain fell in 12 hours in Manila Saturday. Heda Bayron, VOA News, Hong Kong
