Baguio landslides kill 200: food and gasoline almost gone

According to the NDCC, at least 181 people were killed in landslides in the Benguet and Mountain provinces, increasing the death toll to at least 600 due to Typhoons Pepeng and Ondoy. Rescue efforts are still being undertaken by the government since many are still feared to have been trapped in their homes.

As casualties rise, Baguio residents face another disaster---lack of food, water and gasoline. The Baguio government is thinking of rationing supplies since the summer capital is still isolated at this point. Army engineers are rushing to fix McArthur, Kennon and Naguilan roads. Baguio has been isolated from La Union since Friday.

Meanwhile, government estimates flood damage to properties has reached P 30 billion already. There are fears however, that this figure will rise shortly after an assessment has been made on the extent of the damage to Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, which continue to remain under water Sunday.

YOU mobilized to help disaster relief operations

Calling all members of the Young Organizers' Union (YOU) in the following areas: Marikina, Tanay, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Cainta, Manila, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Angono, Pasig and the rest of the Luzon and Bicol regions.

You are directed to go to your respective balangays to help in direct disaster and relief operations. The Secretariat has already given instructions to your Maginoo leaders on what to do. If you have extra clothes, shoes, and food, please bring it in.

You are to help in packing relief goods. Extra money is needed. You are to buy baby's milk, even in cartons, because most evacuation centers, especially in Cainta and Marikina lack these.

To YOU members who are doctors and nurses, please bring your medical equipment. To able-bodied YOU members there in Batangas, please help in clearing operations.

To those YOU members living in Calamba, Los Banos, Pagsanjan and Malayjay in Laguna, please meet up your kapatids and help in restoring order and clearing operations. You must coordinate with local officials there.

YOU members living in Iba Zambales---to those who are NOT affected by this typhoon, please REORGANIZE and form RELIEF AND RESCUE TEAMS. Use your ingenuity. If you have extra boats or rubber boats, please bring it to your local government units and help in rescue operations.

YOU members in Metro Manila---to those who have extra cash and food and water, please pack them up and go to the nearest Petron stations, Red Cross and donate them. To those near Cubao, please go to the Balai ni Mar at Araneta Center and donate.

We need extra volunteers for Marikina and Cainta. DO NOT FLASH YOUR YOU IDs as we do not want the public to know that we are there, helping them. Let us be anonymous in our help.

TO Y.O.U. members in Cebu, Iloilo, Samar, Panay, Leyte, and Mindanao, especially in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Surigao, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Tawi-Tawi and Jolo---please STAY ALERT. REMAIN VIGILANT AS WE are assessing the situation on how you can help.

Coordinate and let's pray to God that we will be victorious in this efforts.

Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!

Mabuhay ang Young Organizers' Union (YOU)!

Mabuhay ang Young Officers' Union (YOU)!