4 dead, 4 missing in 'Yolanda' onsalught

PNoy orders gov't agencies to prioritize Samar, Leyte MANILA -- At least four people were killed during the onslaught of typhoon "Yolanda," according to initial reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The NDRRMC said two of the fatalities were from Surigao del Sur while the others were from Zamboanga City and Iloilo. At least seven people were injured while four others were reported missing, it added. Around 140,000 families or 700,000 individuals were affected by the typhoon. The NDRRMC said it still expects the number of casualties to rise further as contact has yet to be established in many areas. "Ang initial assessment po ay napakalaking pinsala po ang naidulot nitong si bagyong Yolanda. Halos wala daw pong nakatayong bahay, kahit na malalaking establishments. Ang malungkot nito ay marami nga sa ating mga kababayan ang naapekutan... Inaalam pa natin kung ilan talaga ang bilang ng ating mga kababayan na nasawi," said NDRRMC spokesperson Reynaldo Balido Jr. Meanwhile, two Air Force C-130 planes are scheduled to bring relief goods to Tacloban City, Leyte, which is among the worst hit areas. Balido said NDRRMC chief Eduardo del Rosario is now headed to Tacloban to join Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to see for himself the extent of the damage. "Ang importante po yung maka-establish tayo ng sapat na contact dun so magdadala sila ng communication equipment at technician na rin para maayos po ang signal doon," Balido said. President Aquino, meanwhile, has ordered government agencies to prioritize Leyte and Samar, which were among the first to bear the brunt of Yolanda. "The president's concern focuses on Leyte and Samar. Earlier he had talked over satellite phone with Secretary Gazmin and Secretary Mar Roxas, and the two secretaries relayed their concern because there is apparent heavy damage to property in the area. There are a lot of uprooted trees and structures," Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said. "And their concern is that large areas of Leyte and Samar have no power, and the lines of communication have also been cut off. We want to make sure that the people are safe, that they are all accounted for," he added. Storm signals A total of 16 areas remained under public storm warning signals 1 and 2 as Yolanda weakened while crossing the West Philippine Sea, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. Two areas, extreme northern Palawan and the Calamian Group of Islands, are under signal number 2. The following areas in Luzon and Visayas are under storm signal number 1: Occidental Mindoro Lubang Island Oriental Mindoro Romblon Marinduque Batangas northern Palawan including Puerto Princesa City Cuyo Island Northern Aklan Boracay Island Northern Antique Semirara Island PAGASA said Yolanda is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon. -- With report from ANC