Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines with FREE shipping

nancyk58 · November 7, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 7 NOVEMBER 2009

TROPICAL CYCLONE SANTI DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 30

(11/07/2009 | 12:35 PM - GMA News.TV)

The death toll from tropical cyclone SANTI (Mirinae) rose to 30 on Saturday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDCC said the latest fatality was from Camarines Norte in Bicol, adding the other fatalities were from Metro Manila and southern Luzon.

NDCC said the latest fatality was Arthur Tierra, 23, of Alayaw village in Capalonga town in Camarines Norte. It indicated he died of drowning.

At least six people remained missing, including one each in Bicol and Metro Manila and four in Laguna, while 20 were injured.

'Santi' affected at least 107,466 families or 510,161 people in 1,028 villages in 22 cities and 121 towns in 13 provinces.

Of these, 5,213 families or 24,954 people are staying in 123 evacuation centers.

At least 6,866 houses were destroyed while 28,211 were damaged.

Damage to property was estimated at P494.698 million, including P307.77 million in infrastructure and P97.968 million in agriculture and P37.05 million in fisheries.

Still impassable are San Isidro Bridge, Atillo Bridge and San Miguel Bridge in Majayjay, and Santo Angel Bridge, all in Laguna; Bridge of Promise along Batangas-Lobo Road and Colong-Colong Bridge along Palico-Balayan Road in Batangas; and the third concrete bridge along

Marikina-Infanta Road in Rizal.

Paete-Famy Poblacion Road is impassable to light vehicles due to knee-deep floodwaters, while Caramoan Peninsula Road along Presentacion-Maligaya section in Camarines Sur is passable to

motorcycles only. - GMANews.TV

IOM STARTS 2nd WAVE OF RELIEF WORK FOR RP CYCLONE VICTIMS

(11/07/2009 | 02:03 PM - GMA News.TV)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has started the "second wave" of its relief work for victims of recent cyclones, distributing hygiene kits to 8,000 families.

An article on the IOM website said the hygiene kits, distributed to families in Muntinlupa City, is the second wave of its humanitarian aid.

It said the 8,000 families were among those affected by tropical cyclone "Santi" (Mirinae), the most recent cyclone to hit the country.

The IOM also distributed cleaning kits that included shovels, brooms, scrubs and gloves.

It said the distribution of the kits will continue through the end of the week in two of the hardest hit areas – Region IV-A (Calabarzon) and the National Capital Region (NCR).

Last October, IOM distributed 20,000 hygiene kits and water containers contributed by USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to typhoon-affected families in the two areas.

Citing government figures, IOM said more than 60,000 families were affected by "Santi," straining the already stretched capacity of responding agencies.

IOM has appealed for some $10 million to provide health services, emergency shelter and non-food relief items for the victims, and to help the government organize evacuation centres and other displacement sites.

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the European Commission (ECHO), and USAID (OFDA) have already committed nearly $2.25 million, which will allow IOM to help some 61,000 families over the next three.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 8, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 8 NOVEMBER 2009

MAGNITUDE 4 QUAKE ROCKS CENTRAL VISAYAS

(11/07/2009 | 06:07 PM - GMA News.TV)

A MILD QUAKE rocked parts of Central Visayas Saturday morning, but state seismologists said NO DAMAGE was REPORTED or EXPECTED.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was recorded at 8:20 a.m. and measured at MAGNITUDE 4.

It said the quake was tectonic and was felt at Intensity IV in Tuburan, Cebu; Intensity III in Cebu City; and Intensity I in Canlaon City.

Phivolcs said NO DAMAGE or AFTERSHOCK was EXPECTED.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 9, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

Update of the situation in Southeast Asia on 10 November 2009

No relevant news from GMA News.TV (the Philippines) - which is really GOOD NEWS

I have found the article below from the latest Unicef newsletter received 30 October 2009 describing UNICEF's WORK in connection with a natural disaster:

Help for victims of flooding in the Philippines

29-09-2009 - The devastation in the Philippines after the tropical storm Ketsana was enormous. Many thousands of children and families were on the run. UNICEF started distributing emergency and continued efforts the following days.

Assistance was out within 24 hours

Less than 24 hours after the tropical storm hit the capital Manila on 25 September, UNICEF was ready with both food and other relief to those affected. At the same time, UNICEF assisted the Filipino Social and Development Ministry in providing temporary shelter to the many who were forced to flee their homes.

More than one million affected by floods

As the tropical storm hit, the equivalent of one month's rain fell in just 12 hours. This resulted in large parts of Manila being flooded, and more than one million people were affected by the aftermath of the storm. 226,000 people fled their homes and were seeking refuge in 200 evacuation centers. In total 24 provinces in the country were concerned.

Shocking devastation

UNICEF chief in the Philippines, Vanessa Tobin, was even around the capital to look at the devastation: "I am shocked at the extent of damage in various areas, but I am also impressed by the cooperation and generosity manifesting itself in the city . Many have opened their homes for some of their country men who were more affected by this natural disaster, "says Tobin.

More help on the way

Vanessa Tobin said that UNICEF is already underway with more help: "Over the next 48 hours we will, among other things distribute water purification tablets and equipment to ensure clean water and packets / kits of the most necessary medical equipment. At the same time, we will distribute family kits containing, inter alia blankets and soap. We will also assist the government and other organizations in getting their help out to the right people," said Vanessa Tobin.

New storms expected (NOTE: written on 29 September 2009)

UNICEF is concerned for the future. The death toll is expected to rise, and we know from experience that children and families suffer a major health risk after flooding, when many refugees are assembled in small areas without clean water. Two new tropical storms were (THEN) on the way to the Philippines.

Make a difference for children affected by disasters.

Support UNICEF's emergency preparedness

I have one more very interesting article from this UNICEF NEWSLETTER (it will be posted in the near future) NANCY

nancyk58 · November 10, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

No relevant news from the Philippines on GMA NEWS.TV - no relevant news is good news.

On the threads: "Help Red Cross and UNICEF Help victims of natural disasters" and Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia" I'll post an interesting description from Tomas Jensen, a Communications Specialist employed by UNICEF, giving an insight into the relief work done by UNICEF after the tsunami struck SAMOA and TONGA

Tomas Jensen writes from his UNICEF Pacific Office (SAMOA and TONGA).

Tonsu · November 10, 2009

These people still REALLY need all the help we can give them - so many are in absolutely DESPERATE situations and great physical danger...if any of this happened in a Western country the whole world would be following the news and rushing to help :(

Bless you Nancy for all your work on these threads. I love your sig about charity Christmas cards. My chosen charity is a different one, for personal reasons, but it's a great way to support their incredible work, and the true spirit of Christmas imo.

nancyk58 · November 11, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 11 NOVEMBER 2009

2 KILLED BY STRONG CENTRAL INDONESIAN QUAKE

(11/09/2009 | 10:50 AM - GMA News.TV)

(Updated 11:59 a.m.) JAKARTA, Indonesia — A strong undersea earthquake killed two people and damaged buildings on the remote island of Sumbawa in central Indonesia, officials said Monday.

At least 20 people were hospitalized on the island after the 6.7-magnitude temblor, many of them with broken bones, said Rustam Pakaya, the head of the Health Ministry's crisis center. He said at least 40 people were injured.

The quake struck at 3:41 a.m. local time (19:41 GMT) near a small island chain just east of the Lombok resort island. It had a depth of 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) and the epicenter was about 830 miles (1,335 kilometers) east of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

TWO people were KILLED in a part of Sumbawa called Ambalawe, local government spokesman Abdul Wahab Usman said.

"They were hit by a collapsing building," Usman said. "There are believed to be many injuries, but we are still checking."

The quake damaged streets and schools, while a LANDSLIDE blocked a main road linking the town of Bima to the remote districts, he said.

Indonesia is still clearing the rubble from a devastating 7.6 magnitude QUAKE on WEST SUMATRA that killed more than 1,100 people in September.

Indonesia, a vast island nation of 235 million people, straddles a series of fault lines, making it extremely prone to volcanic and seismic activity. - AP

MAGNITUDE-4.8 QUAKE ROCKS MINDANAO

(11/11/2009 | 08:35 AM - GMA News.TV)

A magnitude-4.8 quake rocked parts of Mindanao early Wednesday, as a result of the movement at Philippine fault zone, state seismologists said.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) head Renato Solidum Jr. said there was no damage expected from the quake.

"The Philippine fault zone moved, and the quake was felt at Intensity III in Butuan City, Surigao City and Dinagat Island," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Wednesday's quake occurred less than five hours after an ash explosion at Mayon Volcano in Bicol, but Solidum said there was no connection between the two incidents.

On the other hand, the United States Geological Service (USGS) said the quake was recorded at 6:27 a.m., with the epicenter traced to 30 km northwest of Butuan.

It said the epicenter was also 70 km south-southwest of Surigao, 105 km northeast of Cagayan de Oro City, or 770 km southeast of Manila.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 12, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 12 NOVEMBER 2009

CLINTON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $5.2-M US DISASTER AID TO RP

(11/12/2009 | 08:58 PM - GMA News.TV)

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Thursday that her government will give an additional $5.2 MIO IN DISASTER RELIEF and RECOVERY ASSISTANCE to the PHILIPPINES, following a series of destructive storms that hit the country the past two months.

Clinton made the announcement after her visit to the Malanday National High School in Marikina City, one of Metro Manila areas worst hit by floods brought by Typhoon ONDOY.

The State secretary said the additional funds, which come on top of more than $14 million in rescue and relief aid that the US has already given the country, should be used to meet the needs of those affected by the cyclones and for the government’s DISASTER PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS.

“I was saddened as so many here (were affected by) the recent storms and flooding. I want to convey the sympathy of the Obama administration and the US to the Philippines. You have shown great resolve in these great calamities," Clinton said in a speech in Malacañang.

As Clinton arrived at the high school, she was greeted and applauded by students who waved Philippine and American flaglets in warm welcome, while she smiled and waved back. The students had been waiting for Clinton since noon.

Clinton, together with Education secretary Jesli Lapus, also opened a book fair at the Malanday National High School where she DONATED 50,000 BOOKS. She also DONATED DESKS and ELECTRIC FANS to the HIGH SCHOOL, which had lost much of its equipment due to the floods caused by ONDOY.

Security was tight during Clinton’s visit to the area, with policemen securing the school’s perimeter while the top State official went the rounds.

3 CYCLONES – ONDOY, PEPENG and SANTI – battered various parts of LUZON the past two months, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless due to widespread FLOODING and LANDSLIDES.

Andreo C. Calonzo, GMANews.TV

HILLARY CLINTON LIKELY TO VISIT RP TYPHOON VICTIMS

(11/10/2009 | 01:03 PM - GMA News.TV)

While she will have just 24 HOURS IN MANILA, US SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON will likely try to squeeze in a visit to typhoon victims in her packed schedule, the US ambassador to the Philippines said Tuesday.

US Ambassador Kristie Ann Kenney said in a radio interview that they are trying to fit in a POSSIBLE VISIT TO A RELIEF CENTER so Clinton can show her “SOLIDARITY" with the VICTIMS of recent cyclones “ONDOY" (KETSANA) and “PEPENG" (PARMA), which caused MASSIVE FLOODING in portions of METRO MANAILA the Ilocos, Cagayan, CENTRAL LUZON, SOUTHERN LUZON, and Cordillera regions.

“She wants to show SOLIDARITY WITH the PHILIPPINE PEOPLE in the wake of the STORMS and TYPHOONS. We are still developing her schedule but we very much expect to include a VISIT TO A RELIEF SITE so she can get a chance to see how people are doing and see how else we can continue to help our Philippine friends," Kenney told dzBB radio in an interview.

During the recent cyclones that hit the Philippines, hundreds of US troops helped in the rescue and relief efforts. [Reference to this article: US troops help Philippines as storm toll tops 600 dated 10/11/2009 | 03:13 PM). In ONDOY and PEPENG’s aftermath, Philippine officials asked US TROOPS, who were in the country for an annual military exercise, to help with RELIEF OPERATIONS. About 700 US Marines and sailors were on hand to help out.

The AMERICAN SOLDIERS ASSISTED the Philippine military in DISTRIBUTING RELIEF GOODS to calamity-stricken provinces.

Japan-based American troops also helped in CLEANUP WORK in METRO MANILA, which experienced the WORST FLOODING in over 40 years after ONDOY dumped RECORD RAINS on SEPTEMBER 26.

APEC MEETING

Clinton's visit to the country on Thursday and Friday will come ahead of her trip to Singapore for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

During her stay in the Philippines, Clinton will also talk with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In Tuesday’s interview, Kenny said Clinton would likely discuss other issues such as making global jobs available to people. “I think she’ll be approaching much more in how can we keep working together and how we can use that influence in the region," Kenney said.

Other topics that Clinton may take up with Romulo may include global issues like developments in Burma and North Korea, the economy, and “probably" counter-terrorism and climate change.

“You know, the issues that affect not only America and the Philippines but our other Asian neighbors as well," she said.

PHILIPPINE POLITICS

Kenney said Clinton may also take up Philippine politics, but insisted the Secretary of State will not go into the specifics or endorse any candidate. She said Clinton will likely be more interested in a good election and a good transition of government.

“It will be interesting to see how it goes. You cannot possibly be in the Philippines now without being caught up in election fever," Kenney said.

“Sec. Clinton does not want to get into specific politics, she’s not going to support any one candidate or interfere in one way but I am sure she’ll be excited to think about a good election coming up how it will be transparent, a good transition between governments," she added.

with reports from Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 13, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 13 NOVEMBER 2009

THE PHILIPPINES

390 FAMILIES IN ALBAY EVACUATED DUE TO MAYON 'THREAT'

(11/13/2009 | 08:57 AM - GMA News.TV)

At least 390 families in Albay province in Bicol were preemptively evacuated amid increased activity at Mayon Volcano.

Radio dzRH reported that the 390 families, or 1,665 people, from two villages in Daraga town were brought to the Daraga Supermarket for temporary shelter.

The report said the town's local officials will meet Friday with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to discuss the activity of the volcano.

Earlier, Phivolcs advised residents to take precautions as Mayon spewed ash into the air before dawn last Wednesday.

Phivolcs head Renato Solidum Jr. said residents should clean their surroundings after an ash fall as the ash poses a health hazard.

"We have to remind our residents that ash poses a health hazard. Avoid the ash when possible. In case of an ash fall, close your windows if you are indoors. If outdoors, cover your nose with a handkerchief or a damp cloth", Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said ash fall remains possible even when Mayon is still under Alert Level 2. Phivolcs placed Mayon under Alert Level 2 last July 10.

Solidum also advised residents to remove the ash from streets in their surroundings immediately after an ash fall, or at least pour water on them so the ash particles will not fly.

On Wednesday, Mayon spewed ash more than a kilometer into the air but Phivolcs said there was no basis to raise the alert level for the volcano.

In the meantime, Solidum said Phivolcs continues to keep watch over Mayon, particularly for a possible magmatic eruption.

"We do not see a magmatic eruption soon but neither can we discount it at this time. It is always possible that volcanic activity will continue," he said.

He advised residents in the area to continue observing the 6-km permanent danger zone around the volcano, and the 7-km extended danger zone in the Legazpi City-Daraga area.

GMANews.TV

On the threads "Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia" and "Help Red Cross and Unicef Help Victims of Natural Disasters" I have posted 2 other articles by UNICEF about INDONESIA named:

REBUILDING LIVES AND BUILDINGS IN THE AFTERMATH OF WEST SUMATRA’s EARTHQUAKE measuring 7.6 on the Richter-scale

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/indonesia_51580.html

By Lely Djuhari

AND

BREASTFEEDING ENCOURAGED FOR QUAKE-AFFECTED INDONESIAN MOTHERS

By Lely Djuhari

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/indonesia_51629.html

nancyk58 · November 16, 2009

CALIFORNIANS please donate goods to aid the Philippines

I have not posted on the humanitarian threads during the past week-end simply because I couldn't find relief work-related news to report on Unicef's, Red Cross' or GMA News.TV's websites. And I checked and found no relevant news on these websites today. NANCY / nancyk58

On the threads: "Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia" and "Help Red Cross and Unicef Help Victims of Natural Disasters" I have posted an interesting article with the heading:

EDUCATION PROVIDES A FUTURE FOR CHILDREN IN EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED PAKISTAN

(By Jasmine Pittenger - http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/pakistan_46013.html )

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, 5 November 2009

The latest news from UNICEF's Press Centre (UNICEF)

Future generations in jeopardy unless urgent efforts are made to tackle undernutrition

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director calls for immediate action to tackle food shortages in areas of Southern Sudan

Statement by UNICEF Regional Director about the escalation in Northern Yemen

UNICEF Executive Director raises child health and child rights in Mali

UNICEF to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

nancyk58 · November 17, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 17 NOVEMBER 2009

PHILIPPINE FIRMS PREPARE FOR THE NEXT 'ONDOY' AND 'PEPENG'

(11/17/2009 | 07:04 PM - GMA News.TV)

The devastation caused by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng prompted listed companies to ramp up their allocation for disaster recovery program.

At a briefing at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, company officials cited measures such as ensuring that all operating units have adequate power supply even during period of prolonged power outage and activating emergency responses during calamities.

Officials of Manila Water Co. Inc., SM Investments Corp., San Miguel Pure Foods Inc. and Robinsons Land Corp. admitted that their operations and businesses were affected by the destructive weather disturbances.

Pure Foods, according to company president Francisco Alejo III, had suffered damages of goods and property worth P1.5 billion.

“Calamities have to be factored in," Alejo said.

Most of the damage were on the company's plant in Marikina City, where Pure Foods kept stocks of processed meat products, and its warehouse in Pasig City.

Despite this, Alejo said most of the damages were covered by insurance.

Meanwhile, SM Investments had to do some “engineering changes" such as placing their power sources on the upper portion of the building.

“We have old and new malls. In the past, power sources are in the basement," said Cora Guidote, SM Investments vice president for investor relations

Two SM malls were affected by the flooding – SM Centerpoint in Sta. Mesa, Manila and SM Rosales in Pangasinan. SM has network of 35 malls and 111 stores in the country.

Because the two SM malls had to be temporarily closed for rehabilitation, some 6,200 workers are also presently out of work.

Guidote said SM was committed to expedite the rehabilitation of the malls within two months to help their displaced workers.

Henry Yap, RLC general manager, said that because of the calamities, his company's building management team's capability is being reviewed and modified according to the needs of their mall and BPO office tenants, mostly run by foreign groups.

Metro East, one of RLC's malls, was flooded on the lower floors.

Owing to the massive flooding, Yap said, Filipinos may begin to favor residing in high-rise buildings.

Frank Beaumont, Manila Water group director, said that before the flooding some of their units had no power generators. After Ondoy and Pepeng, however, the company has ensured that all their units had a minimum three-day standby power supply.

Cheryl M. Arcibal, GMANews.TV

_______

UNICEF DENMARK - GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS THAT YOUR FRIENDS DO NOT NEED

Gifts your friends do not need (verdensgaver = world gifts)

17-11-2009 - Skip the traditional Christmas gift / present and give instead a gift that really helps. This is the invitation of UNICEF, which - on Verdensgaver.dk - sells gifts of the sort that your friends do not need.

Mosquito nets and vaccines

On Verdensgaver.dk UNICEF has set a number of its most popular products for sale. However, it is not the classic well-selling articles such as Christmas cards or sweatshirts with the UNICEF logo, but mosquito nets, vaccines and other help / relief articles / items, saving children's lives in developing countries.

Christmas gift

Gifts from Verdensgaver.dk do not take up space under the Christmas tree. UNICEF sends the gift to children needing help. When you buy a World Gift, you will receive a gift certificate, which, for example, you can give as a Christmas gift.

Carefully selected among UNICEF's help / relief articles

World gifts are carefully chosen among the many special items that every day throughout the year, UNICEF sends to children in the world's poorest countries. There is an urgent need for these things, and UNICEF knows from experience that the organization makes a huge difference for the children who receive them.

Gifts / donations save lives

This year, UNICEF sells 23 different World Gifts. You can buy:

Mosquito nets for five families for (the equivalent of ) 179 Danish kroner: They protect children against the malaria mosquito, which is Africa's biggest killer despite its modest size.

120 vaccines for (the equivalent of) 150 Danish kroner: These vaccines protect children against infectious diseases such as polio and measles.

Powder against dehydration for (the equivalent of) 453 Danish kroner: The powder restores the fluid balance of children whose lives are threatened by dehydration due to diarrhoea.

Nutritious (nourishing) nut mixture for (the equivalent of) 261 Danish kroner.

Effective treatment of malnourished children. Three packs a day for a couple of weeks are enough to save a child's life.

View all gifts at Verdensgaver.dk

I was on the internet googling "Unicef gifts" to find some online UNICEF shops in various countries. I not only found that but also found (and saw)

The Gift - a short film from UNICEF UK. It is a dramatisation of a new poem by Simon Armitage, narrated by actress GWYNETH PALTROW.

Watch the film and support our Born Free from HIV campaign to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. thegift.unicef.org.uk/

Inspired Gifts Helps Fight HIV: UNICEF's Store Offers Christmas gifts. Inspired Gifts, an online store run by UNICEF, offers Christmas and holiday presents that help fight HIV by supporting the work being done around the world. aidshiv.suite101.com/article.../inspired_gifts_helps_fight_hiv

Shop UNICEF :: U.S. Fund for UNICEF - UNICEF USA

When you purchase UNICEF Cards & Gifts you are doing much more than sending a goodwill gesture. You are making a real difference in the lives of children.

www.unicefusa.org/shop/

UNICEF USA: Inspired Gifts

Since 1947, the US Fund for UNICEF has supported the work of UNICEF by fundraising for its programs and increasing public awareness of the challenges. inspiredgifts.unicefusa.org/

Home | Shop UNICEF Canada

Shop UNICEF · Cards & Gifts · Gifts of Magic · Education Resources ... Learn about UNICEF's work for children and how your support can help us. www.shopunicef.ca/

Gifts of Magic | Shop UNICEF Canada

Learn about UNICEF's work for children and how your support can help us fulfill our mission. Help · Gifts of Magic - http://www.unicefgiftsofmagic.ca/

Cards & Gifts - www.supportunicef.org/catalog/

If your country is not listed below, we are sorry that UNICEF products are not yet available. Click Here to locate your local UNICEF. http://www.supportunicef.org/catalog/

Buy cards and gifts - UNICEF UK - Homepage

www.unicef.org.uk/store/

UNICEF Inspired Gifts | Charity Christmas Cards & Gifts | United.

UNICEF Inspired Gifts virtual charity gifts provide real, life saving and changing items to children and communities throughtout the world.

www.charity-gifts.org/unicef-shop.php

Verdensgaver.dk (Unicef Danmark)

I saw the Gift and it was really good:D - I am glad to see that Gwyneth is supporting this good cause:) - go see it yourself: The GIFT - a short film from UNICEF UK. - a dramatisation of a new poem by Simon Armitage, NARRATED BY actress GWYNETH PALTROW. Watch the film and support our Born Free from HIV campaign to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. thegift.unicef.org.uk/

nancyk58 · November 18, 2009

CALIFORNIANS please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 18 NOVEMBER 2009

Weather forecast for the Philippines today: 23°C to 32°C.

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, a shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) was estimated at 590 km east of Mindanao while a northeast monsoon affects northern Luzon.

------------------------

At the thread "Help Red Cross and Unicef help victims of natural disasters" I have posted an interesting article from:

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.94aae335470e233f6cf911df43181aa0/?vgnextoid=e370f2fa2f305210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCR D with the title:

"American Red Cross Launches “Gifts that Save the Day” Holiday Campaign

New survey shows many people will cut holiday activities, but still plan to give to charities"

A central part of the article:

"Through the online catalog at http://www.redcross.org/gifts, people can make a donation that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.

In addition, the online catalog provides an opportunity for people to give a charitable gift while doing their online shopping. Although retail sales are projected to remain flat this holiday season, online holiday gift-giving is expected to grow by 4 percent.

Gifts made through the catalog are contributions towards a Red Cross program area, not a donation to a specific project or item. The donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most within the program area; remaining money is put to use where it is needed most."

nancyk58 · November 19, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia on 19 November 2009

Weather for the Philippines on the 19 November 2009

(22°C to 31°C).

At 2 p.m. Thursday, a shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 450 km east of northern Mindanao while a northeast monsoon affects Luzon and Visayas.

No relevant news on the websites of Red Cross and Unicef or GMA News.TV.

nancyk58 · November 20, 2009

CALIFORNIANS please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 20 NOVEMBER 2009 – THE PHILIPPINES

GMA News.TV

Weather forecast: (21°C to 33°C). At 2 p.m. Friday, a low-pressure area (LPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 200 km east of Mindanao while a northeast monsoon affects northern Luzon.

PINOYS JOIN RAISE YOUR VOICE CAMPAIGN ON CLIMATE CHANGE

11/20/2009 | 07:37 PM – GMA News.TV

A six-minute amateur video featuring dramatic footage that showed the devastation caused by tropical storm ONDOY is the lone Philippine entry in a YouTube campaign to raise awareness on the issue of climate change.

In a news release, De La Salle University graduates Alfonso Orioste Jr. and Paul Darwynn Garilao said the destruction from the cyclone was the motivation for their decision to join the “Raise Your Voice" campaign.

The contest encourages individuals to send videos containing their views and questions about the United Nations conference on climate change in Copenhagen next month. The campaign is sponsored by CNN, Youtube, and the government of Denmark.

Two winners who will be selected by public voting on YouTube from November 6 to 30 will get a free trip to Copenhagen to attend the landmark conference.

The global gathering will determine new targets for curbing carbon emissions from human activities that scientists have deemed responsible for the earth’s changing weather.

Video entries may also be aired during the CNN/Youtube debates on December 15, one of the many activities during the conference that are meant to draw global attention to the issue.

In their entry, Orioste and Garilao highlighted the disastrous impact of climate change in a developing country – in this case the Philippines – and contrasted the image with initiatives that are underway in rich countries to address the issue.

From Manila, Orioste talked about the need for disaster preparedness and improved communication as part of environmental management systems that are necessary to respond to natural calamities more effectively.

“As we have experienced, the storm Ondoy (Ketsana) taught us a lot of lessons. This is a wake-up call for the Philippine government to implement laws and programs on environmental management and disaster preparedness," said Orioste, who is studying law at San Beda.

Meanwhile, from his current work base in Hawaii, Garilao advocated the use of renewable energy such as solar panels and wind turbines as the “best step to combat climate change." An engineer, Garilao has done research on the use of LPG two-stroke engines as an alternative form of clean energy.

To vote for the Philippine entry, visit http://www.youtube.com/cop15 and click the thumbs up sign for the video entitled “Raise Your Voice by Filipino environmental advocates."

Although their entry may not win awards for best editing or script, it is nonetheless a good push for what they call “Green education" at a time when disasters are increasingly causing massive destruction in the Philippines.

Yasmin D. Arquiza, GMANews.TV

--------------

I really hope for a good result at the Climate summit in Copenhagen in December.

Now North-West England, Scotland and Ireland have experienced floodings too. Overflooded rivers after record rainfall, bridges collapsed, and in England a policeman died. Citizens had to be rescued out of their houses by helicopter.

Terrible, but I still think of places like the Philippines having to go through this - at least four times!

nancyk58 · November 21, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 21 NOVEMBER 2009

THE PHILIPPINES

Weather report: (23°C to 33°C). At 2 pm, Saturday, a LOW PRESSURE AREA was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 220 km. EAST OF MINDANAO.

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON.

LANDSLIDES STILL LOOM OVER MINDANAO AS LPA MOVES AWAY

11/21/2009 | 10:20 AM - GMA News.TV

A LOW PRESSURE AREA - LPA - that threatened to become a cyclone MOVED AWAY FROM EASTERN MINDANAO Saturday, but STILL THREATENED TO TRIGGER LANDSLIDES AND FLASH FLOODS there.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration - PAGASA - said the LPA was spotted 560 KILOMETERS EAST OF MINDANAO at about 2 a.m.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa also said THE NORTHEAST MONSOON WAS AFFECTING EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON.

GMANews.TV

AFTERNOON RAINS DUE TO LPA AND MONSOON, NOT CYCLONE - PAGASA

11/21/2009 | 08:39 PM - GMA News.TV

The RAINS that pelted parts of METRO MANILA Saturday afternoon were not due to a cyclone but to a low-pressure area (LPA) and the NORTHEAST MONSOON, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Due to the LPA and the MONSOON, "PALAWAN, VISAYAS, and MINDANAO will experience cloudy skies with SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS and THUNDERSTORMS," said Pagasa.

The RAINS will become "WIDESPREAD" over EASTERN MINDANAO, which "may trigger FLASHFLOODS and LANDSLIDES," the weather bureau added in its 5 p.m. bulletin.

MINDANAO should expect OCCASIONAL TO FREQUENT RAINS, particularly the eastern and central portions in the next "two to three days." - Pagasa advised residents in said areas to take all necessary precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, it said MODERATE TO STRONG WINDS blowing from the Northeast would prevail over LUZON, VISAYAS, and EASTERN MINDANAO. Coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms.

STRONG TO GALE FORCE WINDS are also expected to affect the seaboards of LUZON and VISAYAS.

"Fishing boats and other small sea craft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against BIG WAVES," PAGASA said.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 22, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATE OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 22 NOVEMBER 2009

Weather forecast for the Philippines: (23°C to 31°C). At 2 p.m. Sunday, the low pressure area was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 160 kms east of Mindanao. A northeast monsoon meanwhile is affecting extreme northern Luzon.

An interesting article below as the many natural disasters over the last couple of years may have been caused - at least partly - by GLOBAL WARMING !

GLOBAL WARMING's IMPACT WORSENED SINCE 1997 PACT

(11/21/2009 | 12:09 PM – GMA News.TV)

WASHINGTON — Since the 1997 international accord to fight global warming, climate change has worsened and accelerated — beyond some of the grimmest of warnings made back then.

As the world has talked for a dozen years about what to do next, new ship passages opened through the once frozen summer sea ice of the Arctic. In Greenland and Antarctica, ice sheets have lost trillions of tons of ice. Mountain glaciers in Europe, South America, Asia and Africa are shrinking faster than before.

And it's not just the frozen parts of the world that have felt the heat in the dozen years leading up to next month's climate summit in Copenhagen:

— The world's oceans have risen by about an inch and a half.

—Droughts and wildfires have turned more severe worldwide, from the U.S. West to Australia to the Sahel desert of North Africa.

—Species now in trouble because of changing climate include, not just the lumbering polar bear which has become a symbol of global warming, but also fragile butterflies, colorful frogs and entire stands of North American pine forests.

—Temperatures over the past 12 years are 0.4 of a degree warmer than the dozen years leading up to 1997.

Even the gloomiest climate models back in the 1990s didn't forecast results quite this bad so fast.

"The latest science is telling us we are in more trouble than we thought," said Janos Pasztor, climate adviser to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

And here's why: Since an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas pollution was signed in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997, the level of carbon dioxide in the air has increased 6.5 percent. Officials from across the world will convene in Copenhagen next month to seek a follow-up pact, one that President Barack Obama says "has immediate operational effect ... an important step forward in the effort to rally the world around a solution." The last effort didn't quite get the anticipated results.

From 1997 to 2008, world carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels have increased 31 percent; U.S. emissions of this greenhouse gas rose 3.7 percent. Emissions from China, now the biggest producer of this pollution, have more than doubled in that time period. When the U.S. Senate balked at the accord and President George W. Bush withdrew from it, that meant that the top three carbon polluters — the U.S., China and India — were not part of the pact's emission reductions. Developing countries were not covered by the Kyoto Protocol and that is a major issue in Copenhagen.

And the effects of greenhouse gases are more powerful and happening sooner than predicted, scientists said.

"Back in 1997, the impacts (of climate change) were underestimated; the rate of change has been faster," said Virginia Burkett, chief scientist for global change research at the U.S. Geological Survey.

That last part alarms former Vice President Al Gore, who helped broker a last-minute deal in Kyoto.

"By far the most serious differences that we've had is an acceleration of the crisis itself," Gore said in an interview this month with The Associated Press.

In 1997, global warming was an issue for climate scientists, environmentalists and policy wonks. Now biologists, lawyers, economists, engineers, insurance analysts, risk managers, disaster professionals, commodity traders, nutritionists, ethicists and even psychologists are working on global warming.

"We've come from a time in 1997 where this was some abstract problem working its way around scientific circles to now when the problem is in everyone's face," said Andrew Weaver, a University of Victoria climate scientist.

The changes in the last 12 years that have the scientists most alarmed are happening in the Arctic with melting summer sea ice and around the world with the loss of key land-based ice masses. It's all happening far faster than predicted.

Back in 1997 "nobody in their wildest expectations," would have forecast the dramatic sudden loss of summer sea ice in the Arctic that started about five years ago, Weaver said. From 1993 to 1997, sea ice would shrink on average in the summer to about 2.7 million square miles. The average for the last five years is less than 2 million square miles. What's been lost is the size of Alaska.

Antarctica had a slight increase in sea ice, mostly because of the cooling effect of the ozone hole, according to the British Antarctic Survey. At the same time, large chunks of ice shelves — adding up to the size of Delaware — came off the Antarctic peninsula.

While melting Arctic ocean ice doesn't raise sea levels, the melting of giant land-based ice sheets and glaciers that drain into the seas do. Those are shrinking dramatically at both poles.

Measurements show that since 2000, Greenland has lost more than 1.5 trillion tons of ice, while Antarctica has lost about 1 trillion tons since 2002, according to two scientific studies published this fall. In multiple reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, scientists didn't anticipate ice sheet loss in Antarctica, Weaver said. And the rate of those losses is accelerating, so that Greenland's ice sheets are melting twice as fast now as they were just seven years ago, increasing sea level rise.

Worldwide glaciers are shrinking three times faster than in the 1970s and the average glacier has lost 25 feet of ice since 1997, said Michael Zemp, a researcher at World Glacier Monitoring Service at the University of Zurich.

"Glaciers are a good climate indicator," Zemp said. "What we see is an accelerated loss of ice."

Also, permafrost — the frozen northern ground that oil pipelines are built upon and which traps the potent greenhouse gas methane — is thawing at an alarming rate, Burkett said.

Another new post-1997 impact of global warming has scientists very concerned. The oceans are getting more acidic because more of the carbon dioxide in the air is being absorbed into the water. That causes acidification, an issue that didn't even merit a name until the past few years.

More acidic water harms coral, oysters and plankton and ultimately threatens the ocean food chain, biologists say.

In 1997, "there was no interest in plants and animals" and how they are hampered by climate change, said Stanford University biologist Terry Root. Now scientists are talking about which species can be saved from extinction and which are goners. The polar bear became the first species put on the federal list of threatened species and the small rabbit-like American pika may be joining it.

More than 37 million acres of Canadian and U.S. pine forests have been damaged by beetles that don't die in warmer winters. And in the U.S. West, the average number of acres burned per fire has more than doubled.

The Colorado River reservoirs, major water suppliers for the U.S. West, were nearly full in 1999, but by 2007 half the water was gone after the region endured the worst multiyear drought in 100 years of record-keeping.

Insurance losses and blackouts have soared and experts say global warming is partly to blame. The number of major U.S. weather-related blackouts from 2004-2008 were more than seven times higher than from 1993-1997, said Evan Mills, a staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

"The message on the science is that we know a lot more than we did in 1997 and it's all negative," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. "Things are much worse than the models predicted."

AP

----------------------

IRELAND: I heard the midnight news on the Danish radio. One of the news items was about IRELAND which is BADLY affected by floodings due to flooded rivers, and the seaside towns - among them Ireland’s second largest city CORK - are flooded. CORK city is completely ruined. For 800 years Ireland has not been so badly affected by floodings as now..

England and Scotland are also affected by floodings due to rainfall. And more rain to come!

nancyk58 · November 23, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Weather forecast for THE PHILIPPINES (23°C to 32°C)

At 4 p.m. Monday, Tropical Depression 'Urduja' was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 170 km east of Surigao City with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. It is forecast to move west northwest slowly. Meanwhile, a northeast monsoon affects northern Luzon.

RP, 11 NATIONS VOW TO PROTECT REGION's COASTLINES, MARINE ENVIRONMENT

(Amita O. Legaspi, Gma News.TV - 11/23/2009 | 09:46 PM)

The PHILIPPINES, together with 11 OTHER EAST ASIAN NATIONS, are set to endorse on Thursday a declaration stipulating their commitment to protect the region’s coastline and marine environment.

The so-called Manila Declaration will contain agreements resulting from technical meetings during the 3rd East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The meetings, which started on Monday, will discuss protection of marine biodiversity, integrated coastal resource management programs, and ways of mitigating climate change, among others.

With the theme “Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices," the congress will highlight the initiatives at the local level and good practices covering a wide area of subjects on coastal and ocean management and how interregional, interagency, and multisectoral partnerships are contributing to regional and international environmental targets.

“[The Manila Declaration] will be binding in a way because it will develop a plan of action. We must protect the richness of our natural resources and our seas," Joselito Atienza, the Philippines’ environment secretary, told reporters at the sidelines of the EAS Congress.

If the coastal areas will not be protected, it is not only the Philippines which will suffer but other countries as well, he said. “So therefore we must act as one," Atienza said.

Besides the PHILIPPINES, other countries expected to sign the Manila Declaration are Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam which are all members of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia.

The seas of East Asia are made up of six subregional seas which includes East China Sea, Yellow Sea, South China Sea, Sulu-Celebes Seas, Indonesian Seas and Gulf of Thailand.

These bodies of water sustain 30 percent of the world’s coral reefs and mangroves and produce about 40 percent of the world’s fish catch and 84 percent of world’s aquaculture.

They also represent one of the world’s centers for tropical marine biodiversity.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 24, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEASTASIA ON 24 NOVEMBER 2009

Today only news from the PHILIPPINES

More than 2,700 stranded due to ‘URDUJA’

(11/24/2009 | 04:23 PM - GMA News.DK)

More than 2,700 passengers in Eastern and Western Visayas, Southern Luzon and Northern Mindanao were stranded due to TROPICAL DEPRESSION "URDUJA," the government said on Tuesday.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), in its noon report, said those stranded included 1,519 in Eastern Visayas; 719 in Western Visayas; and 399 in Sorsogon province.

Stranded passengers in Southern Tagalog included 10 in Lucena and 25 in San Jose, while those in Sorsogon included 237 in Pilar and 162 in Bulan.

Passengers stranded in Western Visayas included 384 in Bacolod and 335 in Iloilo. Those in Eastern/Central Visayas included 746 in Cebu, 282 in Maasin, 50 in Tagbilaran, 309 in Dumaguete, and 150 in Catbalogan.

Another 19 were stranded in Dapitan in Northern Mindanao.

The NDCC said 99 vehicles and 86 vessels in Southern Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao were also stranded due to the weather disturbance.

A LANDSLIDE occurred 10 a.m. in Guintoylan in Liloan town in SOUTHERN LEYTE, but NO CASUALTIES were reported, according to NDCC.

In Caraga in MINDANAO, Santo Niño, Limaha and Tandang Sora villages in Butuan City were FLOODED.

KK, GMANews.TV

Magnitude-4.2 quake rocks Davao - Phivolcs

(11/24/2009 | 10:28 AM - GMA News.TV)

A magnitude-4.2 quake rocked the Davao area in Mindanao before dawn Tuesday, but state seismologists said there was no initial report of casualty or damage.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was recorded at 1:54 a.m., with the epicenter 16 km west of Davao City.

Phivolcs said the quake was tectonic and was felt at Intensity II in Davao City and Perez village in Kidapawan City.

It said it did not expect any damage to property or aftershock from the quake.

RSJ, GMANews.TV

On the 17 November 2009 there was another quake at Davao (I am not sure that I found and posted that - so here it is:

Magnitude-5.1 quake hit Davao = 13 days ago; tsunami ruled out

(11/17/2009 | 09:11 AM - GMA News.TV)

A predawn quake rocked parts of Davao Oriental province in Mindanao Tuesday, but state seismologists quickly allayed fears of a tsunami resulting from the tremblor.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said the quake was recorded at magnitude 5.1, which is not enough to cause a tsunami.

Citing initial reports reaching him, he said the epicenter was traced to the sea 62 km south of Mati, Davao Oriental.

He said the quake was felt at Intensity IV in Tarragona in Davao Oriental; Intensity III in Davao City; and Intensity II in Caraga town in Davao Oriental, Polomolok in South Cotabato, and Tagum in Davao del Norte.

Solidum said there were no initial reports of damage to property.

“We do not expect significant damage because the highest intensity was Intensity IV," he said.

On the other hand, the United States Geological Service said the quake was recorded at magnitude 5.2, and recorded at 3:58 a.m.

It traced the epicenter to 95 km east-southeast of Davao, 140 km east-northeast of General Santos City, 185 km south of Hinatuan, or 1,065 km southeast of Manila.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 25, 2009

Californians donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 25 NOVEMBER 2009

The PHILIPPINES

Weather forecast (23°C to 32°C). At 2 p.m. Wednesday, a low-pressure area (LPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 350 km east of Surigao while a northeast monsoon affects northern and eastern Luzon.

‘URDUJA’ DISPLACES MORE THAN 400 FAMILIES - NDCC

(11/25/2009 | 07:27 PM - GMA News.TV)

More than 400 FAMILIES were AFFECTED BY the series of LANDSLIDES and FLASH FLOODS that struck EASTERN VISAYAS and NORTHERN MINDANAO due to HEAVY RAINS caused by TROPICAL STORM “URDUJA" since Tuesday, even as the cyclone WEAKENED INTO a LOW-PRESSURE AREA.

In its situation report, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said at least 239 families or about 1,054 people were affected in the provinces of Camiguin and Misamis Oriental since November 24.

Meanwhile, the LANDSLIDES that hit Liloan, Southern Leyte have also DISPLACED 52 FAMILIES, according to a GMA News Flash Report.

In northeastern Mindanao’s Caraga region, 10 people were INJURED AFTER a MINOR LANDSLIDE caused their van to fell off a cliff in Surigao City.

The NDCC also said that 148 FAMILIES in 13 villages have been EVACUATED as the Puyo and Celopan RIVERS OVERFLOWED due to the CONTINUOUS RAINS in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands, although NO CASUALTIES have been reported so far.

Meanwhile, all 11 passengers of a motorbanca (outrigger pump boat), MBCA Lady Coco, including four Germans and one Swiss, have been rescued after their boat sunk in the waters off Limasawa, Southern Leyte on Tuesday.

In its latest update, state weather forecasters warned that FLASH FLOODS and LANDSLIDES still loom over Mindanao even after Urduja weakened into a low-pressure area.

As of 2 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Urduja was spotted 350 kilometers east of Surigao.

"Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Mindanao, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," Pagasa said.

Pagasa also said the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern and Eastern Luzon, while the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northeast to northwest over the rest of the country, while coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough, the weather bureau said.

Earlier, Pagasa said it is monitoring the POSSIBLE ENTRY OF a NEW TROPICAL STORM, internationally code-named "NIDA." The cyclone may be named "VINTA" once it enters Philippine territory.

Aie Balagtas See/JV, GMANews.TV

6.8 QUAKE HITS NEAR TONGA

November 24, 9:43 AM Reno Headlines Examiner William Robinson

http://www.examiner.com/x-25860-Reno-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m11d24-68-quake-hits-near-Tonga

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (AP) — A 6.8-magnitude EARTHQUAKE struck off the Pacific island nation of TONGA, sending panicked residents into the streets at night, but there were NO immediate REPORTS of DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported shortly after the quake struck at 3:32 a.m. (1332 GMT, 8:32 a.m. EST) that there was NO threat of a destructive widespread TSUNAMI, although waves were possible within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of the epicenter.

“There’s no indication of damage right now in this area,” said Faleo Vico, the duty Weather Office staffer in the capital, Nuku’alofa, 120 miles (195 kilometers) southwest of the epicenter.

Residents in the capital said their homes rattled, and the tremors set off frantic barking of dogs.

In the town of Ha’apai, on an island 185 miles (300 kilometers) northeast of the capital, resident Lano Fonua said the quake was strong and lasted about 45 seconds.

“Many people went out into the streets as the quake was shaking the area quite a bit. It was really going,” he said. “We don’t have any reports of major damage here in the center of town.”

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was 6.8-magnitude and was generated from a depth of 38 miles (62 kilometers) in the ocean.

On SEPT. 29, a TSUNAMI spawned by a magnitude-8.3 EARTHQUAKE KILLED 34 people in AMERICAN SAMOA, 183 in SAMOA and NINE in TONGA.

nancyk58 · November 26, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The PHILIPPINES:

'URDUJA' MOVES EASTWARD; PAGASA MONITORS ANOTHER CYCLONE

(11/25/2009 | 08:02 AM - GMA News.TV)

Even as Tropical Depression Urduja moved eastward and continues to threaten eastern Visayas and Mindanao, state weather forecasters are monitoring a new tropical storm that may enter Philippine territory in three days.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday the incoming storm is more powerful than Urduja.

"We are monitoring a NEW TROPICAL STORM but it is FAR FROM THE PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY as of now. But this is FAR BIGGER THAN URDUJA," Pagasa forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Javier said the new storm, with international code-name "NIDA," may affect areas between Visayas and Mindanao once it enters Philippine territory.

When asked when it may enter the country's area of responsibility, he said, "at least in three days’ time."

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) 6 p.m. Tuesday report said Nida packed maximum winds of 55 knots (102 kph) near the center and gustiness of 80 knots (148 kph).

But in the next 24 hours, it may intensify and pack winds of up to 70 knots (130 kph) near the center. JMA said that Nida was moving north northwest.

On the other hand, Pagasa's 5 a.m. bulletin said Urduja was estimated at 70 km east of Surigao City as of 4 a.m. Wednesday, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near its center and moving east slowly.

"Northeastern Mindanao will have rains and occasional gusty winds with moderate to rough seas. Visayas and the rest of Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers," Pagasa said.

Urduja is expected to be 130 km east of Surigao City Thursday morning, and 220 km east of Surigao City or 210 km east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar Friday morning. By Saturday morning it is expected to be 310 km east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 1 include Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Island, and Siargao Island.

Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes in areas under Storm Signal 1 to take all precautions against POSSIBLE FLASHFLOODS and LANDSLIDES.

LG/RSJ, GMANews.TV

2 DEAD, ROADS IMPASSABLE IN 'URDUJA' WAKE - NDCC

(11/26/2009 | 07:34 AM - GMA News.TV)

At least TWO PEOPLE were reported KILLED in the wake of tropical depression URDUJA, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said late Wednesday.The NDCC only identified the two fatalities as members of the Rallos family in Jasaan town in Misamis Oriental.

It added FLOODING and LANDSLIDES in Camiguin and Misamis Oriental, and in Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog cities have affected 900 families or 4,229 people.

Of these, 813 families or 2,938 people were brought to evacuation centers.

NDCC also said several roads were impassable due to LANDSLIDES and OVERFLOWING OF CREEKS, are:

* Cagayan de Oro City: Road section along Sitio Kablua, Bayanga village, where two lanes are not passable because of LANDSLIDE DEBRIS.

* Camiguin: Tupsan Bridge along Tupsan village in Mahinog not passable due to debris; and national highway along Punta Gorda village, Baslingasag and road section along Sitio Mayang in Kabulawan, Lagonglong not passable due to debris.

Water levels of Cagayan de Oro River and its tributaries may still keep rising due to CONTINUOUS RAINS, the NDCC said.

POWER OUTAGES were still experienced in several areas in Camiguin and Gingoog City since Tuesday, it added.

In Caraga region, at least 26 VILLAGES were FLOODED due to the OVERFLOW OF Puyo and Celopan RIVERS. These include 23 in Agusan del Norte and three in San Jose, Dinagat Islands.

Some 1,464 FAMILIES or 7,396 PEOPLE were AFFECTED. Of these, 335 families or 1,751 people were brought to nine evacuation centers.

CLASSES were SUSPENDED in affected areas in Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog.

LG, GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · November 27, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

Updates of the situation in Southeast Asia

FILIPINO UNICEF STAFFER SHOT IN MAGUINDANAO

(11/27/2009 | 06:29 PM - GMA News.TV)

MANILA, Philippine — A Filipino staffer working for UNICEF in the southern Philippines was shot in an attack and is in critical condition, the UN agency said Friday.

Police earlier reported that Nestor Bulahan had died after the attack Thursday, but a UNICEF statement later said the staffer was still alive and in critical condition.

UNICEF spokeswoman Angela Travis said the incident was not connected with his work. "He was not on official business and we understand the incident is personal," she said.

Police official Siegfredo Ramos said Bulahan was riding on a motorcycle taxi to meet an acquaintance in Parang township when a gunman shot him.

The shooting occurred in the same province, Maguindanao, where a powerful local politician was accused of ordering a massacre Monday of 57 people, including journalists, relatives and supporters of a political rival.

AP

FILIPINO Weather forecast: At 5 p.m. Friday, an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affects SOUTHERN MINDANAO while a northeast monsoon affects NORTHERN and EASTERN LUZON.

nancyk58 · November 28, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 28 NOVEMBER 2009

THE PHILIPPINES

Weather forecast: (24°C to 32°C). At 5 p.m. Saturday, the Northeast monsoon is affecting NORTHERN and EASTERN LUZON.

4 DEAD IN 'URDUJA' WAKE, SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE

(11/28/2009 | 11:01 AM - GMA News.TV)

At least FOUR people were left DEAD while several roads remained impassable in the wake of tropical depression "URDUJA," the National Disaster Coordinating Council said.

In its 6 p.m. Friday report, NDCC said three of the four died from a LANDSLIDE in Misamis Oriental, while one died of electrocution in CEBU.

The Misamis Oriental residents were identified as Isnaje Rallos, 1, and Jenebeb Rallos, four months old, of San Antonio village in Jasaan town; and Dionisio Quilloman, 62, of Santiago village in Gingoog City.

A fourth fatality, Roynaldo Zorobrado, was electrocuted in Dumanjug, CEBU.

NDCC said 13 were INJURED, including three in Misamis Oriental and 10 whose bus fell off a cliff due to a LANDSLIDE in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

SEVEN HOUSES were DESTROYED while 58 were DAMAGED in CARAGA REGION.

STILL IMPASSABLE are:

* Caraga: national highway in Gawad Kalinga area in Claver, Surigao del Norte;

* Manoligao Provincial Road at Sitio Manlangit in Carmen, Agusan del Norte;

* Tupsan Bridge in Camiguin Province; national highway in Mambajao, Camiguin.

POWER was RESTORED in areas of Camiguin province and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental; and in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.

JHU, GMANews.TV

OVER 50 FAMILIES in SOUTHERN LEYTE affected by LANDSLIDE caused by 'URDUJA' (news from 2009-11-25)

nancyk58 · November 29, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 29 NOVEMBER 2009

THE PHILIPPINES:

Phivolcs: PREDAWN MAGNITUDE-5.9 QUAKE ROCKS PARTS OF MINDANAO

( 11/29/2009 | 07:26 AM - GMA News.TV )

Residents in the General Santos and Davao areas in Mindanao got a predawn jolt Sunday as a quake measuring magnitude 5.9 hit the area.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the temblor with a tectonic origin struck at 2: 10 a.m. Sunday east of General Santos City.

Phivolcs' earthquake bulletin no. 1 sent to GMANews.TV, indicated that the agency expects neither damage nor aftershocks from the quake.

On the other hand, the United States Geological Service (USGS) said the quake occurred at about 2:10 a.m., even as there was no initial report of damage or aftershocks as of Sunday morning.

USGS said the epicenter was about 160 km east-southeast of General Santos City; 205 km south-southeast of Davao; or 1,185 km south-southeast of Manila. - It said the epicenter was also some 2,535 km east-northeast of JAKARTA, INDONESIA.

GMANews.TV

WEATHER FORECAST: (24°C to 32°C). At 5 p.m. Sunday, NORTHEAST MONSOON IS AFFECTING NORTHERN AND EASTERN LUZON. No tropical cyclone is existing within the Philippine area of responsibility.

nancyk58 · November 30, 2009

Californians donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 30 NOVEMBER 2009

Weather forecast for the Philippines: (22°C to 31°C). At 5 p.m. Monday, a northeast monsoon affects northern and eastern Luzon. There is no existing tropical cyclone within the Philippine area of responsibility.

GMA News.TV

AMERICAN RED CROSS

http://redcrosschat.org/2009/11/30/cyber-monday/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RedCrossChat+%28Red+Cross+Chat%29

Cyber Monday (posted on November 30th, 2009 by Gloria Huang)

Happy Cyber Monday! As you prepare to do some online holiday shopping today, remember to take a look at our Holiday Giving catalog. You can send a gift that will help someone who needs it the most this season.

Help save the day by sharing this with your friends:

You can share this blog post with your friends, on Facebook, and on Twitter (use #HolidayGiving)

You can share this Catalog widget

You can join our brand new Facebook Cause called Give the Gift that Saves the Day.

Posted in Press Releases, 11/30/09:

American Red Cross Survey Finds 62 Percent of Americans Plan to Donate More than $25 to Charity this Holiday Season in Spite of Economic Downturn

Red Cross offers online giving catalog to help families make charitable gifts in the name of others.

National Headquarters

2025 E Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20006

http://www.redcross.org

WASHINGTON, Monday, November 30, 2009 — In spite of the economic downturn, Americans are entering this holiday season willing to support charities in two ways, with 62 percent planning to dig deep into their own wallets to support charities and nearly 40 percent talking with others about donating to charity instead of buying them a gift, according to a new survey for the American Red Cross. The survey shows that nearly 90 percent of Americans planned to donate to charity this holiday season. Half of those making donations plan to donate at least $50 to charity this holiday season, with 25 percent intending to give more than $100.

Importantly, the survey shows that in addition to making their own donations, 39 percent of people are willing to forego another holiday gift and have that money given to charities instead. Moreover, 80 percent said that if asked, they would be happy to make a donation to charity instead of buying a gift for someone. And with many people shopping online this holiday season, the Red Cross is making it easier to give charitable gifts through an online “Gifts that Save the Day” catalog that enables people to make a tax-deductable charitable gift this holiday season. The catalog, at http://www.redcross.org/gifts, allows people to make a donation that could provide FOOD and SHELTER for a DISASTER VICTIM for a day; a MILITARY COMFORT KIT with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of BASIC NECESSITIES for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.

“In this season of hope, the Red Cross is asking people to give a gift that can really save the day for someone in need,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “Shoppers doing their online gift-buying on Cyber Monday or at other times this holiday season can make a donation to the Red Cross in the name of someone special.”

Gifts made through the catalog are contributions towards a Red Cross program area, not a donation to a specific project or item. The donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most within the program area; remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.

WOMEN Most Often Involved in Family Decisions on Charitable Donations

WOMEN have a great deal of influence over charitable giving decisions in the home. Ninety percent of the women surveyed indicated that they are involved in decisions about which charities to support, compared to 81 percent of men. 22 percent said that they involved children in determining charitable donations.

Popular charities for holiday giving this year include those that HELP THE POOR (83 percent); HELP SERVICE MEMBERS (58 percent), HELP PEOPLE WITH A SPECIFIC DISEASE (55 percent) and that ASSIST DISASTER VICTIMS (51 percent).B]In addition, people are supporting charities during the holiday season with more than money, donating CLOTHING, TIME and even BLOOD. The survey found that 84 percent planned to donate used CLOTHING or HOUSEHOLD ITEMS; 75 percent would contribute FOOD to a food bank, 39 percent planned to VOLUNTEER FOR A CHARITY and 22 percent said they would donate BLOOD during the holiday season.

The telephone survey of 1,001 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted November 5-8, 2009 by CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

nancyk58 · December 1, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

Updates of the situation in the Southeast Asia on 1 December 2009

THE PHILIPPINES

Weather forecast for the Philippines [/color](22°C to 32°C). At 5 p.m. Tuesday, a NORTHEAST MONSOON affects NORTHERN and EASTERN LUZON. There is no existing tropical cyclone within the Philippine area of responsibility.

PHOTO EXHIBIT SHOWS BAGUIO BACK ON TRACK AFTER ‘PEPENG’

(PAULINE NIKKA CORSINO11/30/2009 | 12:38 AM - GMA News.TV)

TUBA, Benguet - The pulling out of this year’s Advertising Congress in Baguio City did not deter four of the country’s top photographers from showcasing some of their works in an exhibit dubbed Optical Medium.

“This was originally part of the Advertising Congress. Unfortunately THE TYPHOONS came and the Ad Congress was pulled out of Baguio City," explains National Artist Ben Cabrera, who joins veterans Bien Bautista, Wig Tysmans, and Jaime Zobel in the exhibit.

“All the more that we need an exhibit like this to send the message that Baguio is back to normal," explains Cabrera, when postponement of the exhibit’s opening was thought of following the pullout of the Ad Congress.

However, the exhibit opened as planned on November 17, a day before the opening of the Advertising Congress in Subic.

The exhibit’s opening pushed through without much pomp, with no ribbons cut and no speeches made. Only Bautista and Cabrera were present along with some family members and friends.

Bencab’s works on display reveal the maestro’s versatility with his media. For Optical Medium, Cabrera used digital painting as finishing touches to facial close-ups of his subjects.

Veterans Bien Bautista and Wig Tysmans each rendered the human body in its intense, natural forms—Bautista’s set of passionate, emotion-filled nudes, and Tysmans’ Wrap-ture series with his nude silhouettes rendered in monochrome.

Art photographer Jaime Zobel’s pieces include the master’s signature abstracts rendered in full color. All in all, the four-man exhibit contains 28 pieces, some printed on wood and others on archival watercolor paper.

“This is our contribution to Baguio and the Cordilleras after the recent typhoons. I hope that people will come to Baguio to see the exhibit," says Cabrera.

Optical Medium runs until January 3, 2010 at the BenCab Museum located along Km. 6, Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM except Mondays, on Christmas Day, and on New Year’s Day. For more information, visit http://www.bencabmuseum.org.

KBK, GMANews.TV

Some older articles from GMA News.TV:

ONDOY, PEPENG PUSH CONSUMER PRICES HIGHER IN NOVEMBER

(11/25/2009 | 06:23 PM - GMA News.TV)

Consumer prices likely rose for the third consecutive month in November owing to the recent weather disturbances which hit the country.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas estimated that inflation for this month could have climbed between 2.4 percent and 3.3 percent, pushed higher by the effects of tropical storm ONDOY and typhoon PEPENG as well as the INCREASE IN POWER RATES imposed by the National Power Corp. and in OIL PRICES.

"he pick up in inflation could be largely attributed to SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS brought about by the recent TYPHOONS and HEAVY RAINS; INCREASES IN UTILITY RATES and INTERNATIONAL CRUDE," Tetangco stressed.

For January to October, inflation climbed 3.2 percent, a marked slow down from the 9.4-percent recorded in the same period in 2008.

Consumer prices had been rising steadily since February until it dropped to a two-decade low in August as Filipinos delayed spending amid the worldwide economic slump.

Despite the HIGHER INFLATION, Tetangco said consumer prices are seen to remain within forecast set by economic managers for this year and in 2010.

“Despite an uptick, November inflation falling in this range would still be consistent with a within-target inflation for 2009 and 2010," Tetangco said.

Inflation for this year is estimated to be between 2.5 percent and 4.5 percent, while for next year inflation range is from 3.5 percent to 5.5 percent.

Tetangco also said the IMF has put no pressure on the BSP to come up with an exit strategy for its relaxed monetary stance.

Owing to the global slump, the central bank has eased key policy rates by 200 basis point since December last year, bringing overnight borrowing rate at a record low of four percent and overnight lending rate at six percent.

Il Houng Lee, head of the visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, said inflation is expected to be contained to 3.1 percent this year and to pick up to 4.3 percent next year as commodity prices and economy of developed countries recover.

“Monetary tightening should only commence when the recovery is on a solid footing. The mission supports the authorities’ policy of limiting foreign exchange intervention to smoothing operations and allowing the exchange rate to adjust to market pressures," Lee added.

GMANews.TV

HER HOME TEETERING ON A SLOPE, BAGUIO WOMAN RECALLS LOSING LOVED ONES TO PEPENG LANDSLIDE

(PAULINE CORSINO, GMANews.TV11/23/2009 | 09:48 PM - GMA News.TV)

On the night of October 8, while typhoon Pepeng was dumping heavy rains over the Cordilleras, laundrywoman Teresita Andrada found herself shivering on the street and unable to get a cab ride home to Bakakeng Central along Marcos Highway.

Giving up hope, she then decided to spend the night in the tourist inn where she works. But despite the safety and comfort the place provided for the unfriendly night, Teresita remained ill at ease. Her family, including her pregnant daughter, was out there fending for themselves.

The next morning, she immediately went home. She was glad to find out her husband and four children were safe and sound, sheltered at the basketball court in front of their house. However, her eldest daughter, Leonora Picar, along with her own brood of six, were missing.

Andrada remembers running to her eldest daughter’s house, only to see that it wasn’t there anymore. Pieces of galvanized iron sheets that had been its walls lay crumpled beneath mounds of earth instead.

“I was worried because no one had seen them. I ran to their house, but it was not there anymore," Andrada says.

Running to the neighbor’s house below, Andrada asked if they had seen Leonora and her family. The neighbors said they didn’t.

The discovery

With the help of a barangay official, Andrada rushed to the Baguio City Hall to ask for help. According to her, it was already 3:00 p.m. when the bodies of all eight family members were dug out - Leonora, 28; her husband Simeon, 40; and their children Edmund, 11; Edison, 10; Loudy Boy, 8; Jennifer, 5; Jane Pamela, 4; and Simeon Jr., 1.

Andrada laments, “No one among the neighbors seemed to have heard the entire house collapse with my grandchildren in it. Not even one went to check them out."

Leonora, who was three months pregnant with her seventh child, was dug up holding Simeon Jr.

All eight members of the family were placed on wooden caskets and laid at the basketball court of the barangay. - Andrada believes Leonora's house collapsed in the wee hours of the morning.B]

Scarce burial lots

Even burial was a problem, Andrada says, with cemetery lots becoming scarce due to the big number of fatalities after the typhoon.

“We got a single cemetery lot and that's where we buried them all. We simply set down their caskets on top of one another," says Andrada.

The lone breadwinner of the family, Andrada recalls enjoying spending time with her grandchildren after work. She shares that her work now helps her cope with the loss of her daughter and her grandchildren, including Leonora’s unborn child.

Nearly two months after the deaths, however, Andrada still fears for their lives in the event of another typhoon as strong as Pepeng.

Their house, a makeshift laundry room owned by her employer, stands at the edge of a slope just above the place where Leonora’s house had stood.

Andrada’s family welcomes the possibility of relocation, but no concrete plans and assistance have so far been extended.

She says this was the first time their place was hit by landslides. Not far from the site, two houses sitting on the edge of a cliff had also collapsed at the height of the typhoon, but nobody died.

The Picar family is among the HUNDREDS OF FATALITIES left by TYPHOON PEPENG, which brought UNPRECEDENTED LANDSLIDES and FLOODING to the Cordillera region.

JV, GMANews.TV

BAGUIO TOURISM STILL STRUGGLING AFTER PEPENG

(By PAULINE NIKKA CORSINO11/22/2009 | 07:36 PM - GMA News.TV)

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - MORE THAN A MONTH AFTER the onslaught of TYPHOON PEPENG (international codename: PARMA), businesses in Baguio City are barely back on their feet, with tourist turnouts remaining low.

Kim, who sells Baguio food products and souvenir items in one of the busiest bus terminals in the Central Business District, laments their consistent decrease in sales this year.

“We usually generate about P10,000 income around the same time last year. In the months before the typhoon, it went down to around P6,000, then to just P800 in the days following the typhoon," she explains in Filipino.

“Tourists who drop by here no longer buy Baguio souvenirs," Kim adds. The products include knitted bonnets, scarves, and necklaces.

Sales were momentarily brisk during the All Saint’s Day weekend but quickly dwindled the following week, adds Kim.

“Our sales usually shoot up starting the last week of October and will last until around June the next year, but this is not the case anymore," Kim explains.

Ellen, another stall owner, says their average P1, 500 sales everyday went down to P100 during the typhoon.

Recovering

She adds, however, that they are slowly recovering, with bus trips having gone back to normal since the reopening of Baguio’s three main roads.

A bus company with routes from Baguio to Manila and nearby provinces records an average 33 round trips per day at around P10,000 per trip, which brings daily losses to more than P600,000 during the four-day trip suspension.

Businesses at Burnham Park, perhaps Baguio’s most accessible tourist spot, have also been suffering.

Belen Ogena says her boats-for-rent business is not coping very well. “Last year we usually had (the boats) rented for 30 minutes at P60. Today we allow customers to stay there for as long as they want for the same price."

“We expected to recover after the RAINY SEASON, but THEN PEPENG came and we have since been hard up coping with the low tourist turnout," she says in Filipino.

Sonny Legaspi, who has a bicycle-for-rent business, has similar concerns. He observes that excursions are hard to come by nowadays, and fewer foreign tourists have come since typhoon Pepeng compared to the same time last year.

Even Baguio’s famous ukay-ukay is affected, as it is heavily dependent on tourist arrivals. Marina Bumatay, owner of one stall along the Bayanihan area near Burnham Park, has not replenished her stock since June of this year.

Lost revenues

Baguio City lost around P300 million in expected revenues from the pullout of the Advertising Congress, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

But the mountain resort city is expected to gradually regain its losses as the busy holiday season nears, and with several activities lined up to spruce up its tourism.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio has slashed hotel rates by 30-50 percent until the end of this month to attract tourists back to the city.

The DOT is also set to launch the WOW Philippines, Cordillera’s Best 2009 project on November 25. Among the activities lined up are two grand parades on November 28 and 29 featuring Baguio City and the Cordillera Region’s festivals.

The city is also set to host the 60th edition of the Fil-American Golf Tournament starting November 25. The event is expected to shoot up Baguio’s tourism as it will draw some 1,200 golfers from around the world. It holds a Guiness Record for being the biggest amateur golf tournament in the world.

Says a DOT source, “We are eyeing on conferences as the primary tourism activity to be hoisted in Baguio. Again, we remain optimistic that visitors will still be coming this Christmas season," adding that December is Baguio’s most visited month.

GMANews.TV

nancyk58 · December 2, 2009

Californians please donate goods to aid the Philippines

UPDATES OF THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ON 2 DECEMBER 2009

ONDOY AND PEPENG LOSSES NEXT ONLY TO ACEH TSUNAMI

(12/02/2009 | 03:15 PM - GMA News.TV)

The government should FAST-TRACK THE REBUILDING OF RURAL LIVELIHOODS – before the year ends as much as possible – to AVOID PRODUCTION DECLINES, INCOME LOSSES and INCREASED SPENDING during the dry season in the aftermath of tropical cyclones ONDOY and PEPENG, the worst natural disaster in the region since the East Asian tsunami of 2005, a post-disaster assessment report said.

Damages and losses from ONDOY and PEPENG (International names KETSANA and PARMA, respectively) reached $4.4 million – equivalent to 2.7 percent of total economic output. While financing needs are large, “the cost of doing nothing would be larger still," according to the report which was released Wednesday.

The report estimates the total cost of recovery and reconstruction of LUZON, which includes METRO MANILA, at $ 4.42 billion over the short to medium term (2009 to 2012). It said larger investments, particularly in flood control and housing, may need to be considered in the longer term.

The storms hit regions of the country that account for almost two-thirds of the gross domestic product, including the National Capital Region, which accounts for more than a third of total economic output.

The report, prepared by several development organizations from the public and private sectors, cited the need for rapid action in repairing irrigation systems and clearing plantations of gravel, silt and sand while providing farmers with seeds and fertilizer to ensure that there is enough food for everyone in the coming year.

The state should also pay close attention to FLOOD MANAGEMENT and DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, while increasing the participation of local governments in the recovery and reconstruction program and in coming up with measures to mitigate disaster risks.

"]“While ONDOY’s flooding could not have been prevented, its extensive impact was preventable. Similarly, the damage wrought by Pepeng could have been mitigated," the study, prepared by the United Nations and World Bank, among others, pointed out.[/b]

LESSONS FROM SAO PAULO

Preventing such impacts in the future, it added, requires closer attention to areas such as land use planning, housing, water management, environmental protection and disaster risk mitigation. Policymakers should address the congestion of Metro Manila, the proliferation of slums, the heavily polluted environment in urban areas, and the weak performance of agribusiness in rural areas.

The study called for a transparent, accountable and result-based recovery and reconstruction program. It also cited the need to engage local communities in decision-making, implementation and monitoring to lower the risk of fund misuse.

The report noted that the vast majority of damage to the housing stock was concentrated in the informal sector, which serves mainly low-income families, so building back better means providing better alternatives to informal settlers.

The Philippines, it added, can learn much from Singapore and Sao Paulo, which have successfully addressed the issue of slums through more intensive use of urban land. “Given the cost of land in metropolitan Manila and the need to keep people close to their sources of livelihoods, spreading upwards in more compact settlements is a logical solution," it said.

PRODUCTIVE SECTORS WORST HIT

Much of the damage costs, or about $3.22 billion, was sustained by productive sectors such as agriculture, industry, commerce and tourism. Losses and damages suffered by so-called social sectors such as housing, education, cultural heritage and health reached $919 million.

Losses and damages to infrastructure – including electricity, water and sanitation, flood control, drainage and dam management, transport and telecommunications – reached $237.3 million, while local governments lost $7.1 million.

As of November 23, the official DEATH TOLL from the twin natural disasters have reached 956 PERSONS, with 736 INJURED and 84 still MISSING. Most of the deaths caused by ONDOY were due to DROWNING, while deaths from PEPENG were mostly due to LANDSLIDES, especially in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Data showed that more than 9.3 MILLION PEOPLE – about 20 PERCENT OF an estimated POPULATION of 43.2 million living in affected regions – were SEVERELY AFFECTED.

The post-disaster needs assessment report was prepared by the government, multi-sectoral groups, development partners Asian Development Bank, European Commission, United Nations and the World Bank Group.

Cheryl Arcibal, GMANews.TV

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