I. General Information:
From June 19 - 23, 2008 Tropical Storm Fengshen, with winds of 140kph, hit the Philippines causing loss of lives, injuries and damage to properties in numerous regions across the country.
Affected Regions are I, III, IVA, IVB V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA, ARMM and the NCR. According to the National Disaster and Coordinating Council, the total number of affected families by the typhoon has already reached 813,374. The reported number of families in evacuation centers was 30,998 while those outside of evacuation centers was 500,588. Estimated cost of damages to agriculture and infrastructure has amounted to PHP10 735 947 000. As of 1 July 2008 some roads in Iloilo, Antique, Romblon and Leyte are still not passable. Restoration of electric power supply is near completion (97%) in the affected provinces in Luzon and the Visayas.
Update on toxic cargo on board Sulpicio Lines MV Princess of the Stars
Search and retrieval operations for the bodies of victims in Sulpicio Lines MV Princess of the Stars remain suspended until government authorities are sure there has been no leakage of the toxic pesticide endosulfan and the identified 4 other hazardous chemicals (metamidaphos, carbofuran, propineb and niclosamide) on board the ship.