To preempt disease outbreaks
STREAMLINE GOV'T FUNDS FOR ONDOY VICTIMS - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged all government agencies to pull all available pockets to help victims of Ondoy and asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to coordinate with Congress for the immediate release of the supplemental budget in the wake of the calamity.

"The scarcity of safe water and sanitation facilities, the degree of crowding, and the weakened health status of the evacuees combine to heighten the risk for communicable diseases," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

Angara recommended the immediate release of supplemental budget not only for relief operations but to preempt disease outbreaks like cholera and infections including swine flu, diarrhea and leptospirosis.

"While we are still in the phase of rescuing and recovering from the recent typhoon, another storm is coming. Many people are yet to be rescued and the bulk of evacuees are currently in very congested centers," said Angara

He added, "We must act with urgency and efficiency so we may recover fast and equip ourselves for impending catastrophes."

Worried that despite the continued arrival of donations from public and private sector Angara said that resources wouldn't be sufficient to meet the needs of so many people.

According to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) there at least 503,273 people in 607 evacuation centers across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and a few areas in Negros Occidental, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

From Metro Manila alone 253,274 people or 49,510 families are in evacuation centers, Rizal has 94,021 evacuees while Laguna has 113,625 evacuees. In the metropolis, Quezon City reported the highest number of evacuees at 76,460 followed by Marikina City with 57,965.