1,000 more cadaver bags ordered for Tanauan

Twelve days after typhoon 'Yolanda', the town of Tanauan in Leyte still lacks aid, according to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel in the area. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla earlier said Tanauan is one of the towns severely damaged by typhoon 'Yolanda'. Roxas has also ordered around 1,000 additional cadaver bags for corpses in Tanauan.

In an interview with DZMM, Presidential Communication Group Secretary Ricky Carandang said that their group has already arrived in Tanauan, and while going around the different barangays, they noticed that there are sacks of rice stocked in warehouses. When asked about the rice in the warehouses, barangay officials said they lack fuel, and cannot deliver the rice to their constituents.

Carandang said that they will also help supply fuel in order to facilitate the delivery of relief goods. He added that unlike what most people believe, relief goods from the government have arrived in other towns in Leyte, but delivery becomes a problem once it arrives in town due to lack of fuel or delivery trucks. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Managemement Council (NDRRMC) is now focusing on the town of Tanauan.

Aside from groups from the government, groups from Japan, Canada and the US have also arrived in Tanauan to help in relief and clearing operations. Japanese rescue workers have also set up makeshift hospitals, where they performed surgeries for 74 patients. According to Mayor Pelagio Tecson, around 1,200 died in Tanauan, and 800 more are missing.