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| Philippine floods: Benigno Aquino visits disaster zone | Philippine floods: Benigno Aquino visits disaster zone |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Philippines President Benigno Aquino is visiting parts of the country which have been devastated by deadly storms. | Philippines President Benigno Aquino is visiting parts of the country which have been devastated by deadly storms. |
| Nearly 1,000 people were killed after Typhoon Washi hit southern Mindanao island and surrounding areas at the weekend. | |
| Mr Aquino has declared a national calamity and said the priority must now be the tens of thousands left homeless. | Mr Aquino has declared a national calamity and said the priority must now be the tens of thousands left homeless. |
| Some cities plan to conduct mass burials of unidentified bodies on Tuesday amid growing health concerns. | Some cities plan to conduct mass burials of unidentified bodies on Tuesday amid growing health concerns. |
| Disaster agencies are attempting to provide food, water, medicine and body bags, but damaged roads are hampering efforts to reach survivors in remote villages. | Disaster agencies are attempting to provide food, water, medicine and body bags, but damaged roads are hampering efforts to reach survivors in remote villages. |
| Mr Aquino was flown over the coastal region to see the scale of the destruction, before meeting survivors and local officials. | Mr Aquino was flown over the coastal region to see the scale of the destruction, before meeting survivors and local officials. |
| After widespread criticism that the authorities were caught unprepared, he promised a full review into disaster plans, to ensure such devastation could not happen again. | After widespread criticism that the authorities were caught unprepared, he promised a full review into disaster plans, to ensure such devastation could not happen again. |
| "First priority is to relocate to areas that no longer pose a danger to them," he told a meeting in Cagayan de Oro, where nearly 600 people lost their lives as flash floods hit early on Saturday. | "First priority is to relocate to areas that no longer pose a danger to them," he told a meeting in Cagayan de Oro, where nearly 600 people lost their lives as flash floods hit early on Saturday. |
| A spokesman for the president, Ricky Carandang, said declaring a national calamity would enable the government to direct more funds to the relief effort, Reuters reports. | A spokesman for the president, Ricky Carandang, said declaring a national calamity would enable the government to direct more funds to the relief effort, Reuters reports. |
| Disease fears | Disease fears |
| The BBC's Kate McGeown in the region said the authorities now face a massive task as unclaimed bodies pile up at mortuaries. Some authorities are reported to have run out of coffins. | The BBC's Kate McGeown in the region said the authorities now face a massive task as unclaimed bodies pile up at mortuaries. Some authorities are reported to have run out of coffins. |
| More bodies are still being found in the sea and the rivers, our correspondent adds, forcing officials to plan for mass burials despite opposition from relatives of the missing. | More bodies are still being found in the sea and the rivers, our correspondent adds, forcing officials to plan for mass burials despite opposition from relatives of the missing. |
| Two concrete communal tombs were being constructed in the badly hit town of Iligan, said Teresita Badiang, an engineer at the mayor's office. | Two concrete communal tombs were being constructed in the badly hit town of Iligan, said Teresita Badiang, an engineer at the mayor's office. |
| The bodies would be placed side by side "so that their burial will be dignified", she added. | The bodies would be placed side by side "so that their burial will be dignified", she added. |
| About 40,000 people on Mindanao, many of whom were already desperately poor, are now living in evacuation centres after losing their homes and possessions. | About 40,000 people on Mindanao, many of whom were already desperately poor, are now living in evacuation centres after losing their homes and possessions. |
| John Salva, a spokesman for British aid charity World Vision, said the centres had become severely overcrowded, with signs of disease beginning to appear. | John Salva, a spokesman for British aid charity World Vision, said the centres had become severely overcrowded, with signs of disease beginning to appear. |
| "It's really a struggle to manage those evacuation centres, there's a shortage of water and a shortage of food," he told ANC television. | "It's really a struggle to manage those evacuation centres, there's a shortage of water and a shortage of food," he told ANC television. |
| The flash floods struck in the early hours of Saturday as a passing tropical storm coincided with high tides. | The flash floods struck in the early hours of Saturday as a passing tropical storm coincided with high tides. |
| As rivers burst their banks, many were trapped in their homes as they slept, while in other areas entire villages are reported to have been swept away. | As rivers burst their banks, many were trapped in their homes as they slept, while in other areas entire villages are reported to have been swept away. |
| Although the Philippines is struck by several typhoons and tropical storms every year, the south of the country usually escapes the worst damage. | Although the Philippines is struck by several typhoons and tropical storms every year, the south of the country usually escapes the worst damage. |
| Are you in the Philippines? Have you been affected? You can share your experiences by filling in the form below. | Are you in the Philippines? Have you been affected? You can share your experiences by filling in the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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