NDCC orders tight security for DSWD relief convoys

Reports of blocking and stoning of convoys bringing goods for victims of storm "Ondoy" have prompted authorities to order police and military forces to secure relief missions.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chairman and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. issued the security order Wednesday. "Dahil sa mga nambabato at nanggugulo sa mga convoy, magdadagdag kami ng military at police personnel. Hindi natin palalampasin itong mga gawain na ito. (We will have more soldiers and policemen secure the convoys against some groups blocking or assaulting the convoys. We will not allow this to go unchallenged)," Teodoro said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Although Teodoro did not give further details about the “attacks" - which he described as "isolated incidents" - he threatened that his office will take legal action against any group hampering relief activities.

The NDCC is the coordinating body for relief work, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in charge of bringing relief goods to victims.

On the other hand, Teodoro urged donors of relief goods to coordinate with the DSWD if they want to deliver them personally to victims.

"Just donate the goods to DSWD. If you want to deliver the goods personally, coordinate with the DSWD so we can use your trucks or sasabay sa convoy with proper security (and your vehicles can join the convoy with proper security)," he said.

He also appealed to residents affected by "Ondoy" not to jump lines in getting their share of relief goods, saying a time of crisis is not an excuse to do so.

"Umaapela ako sa mga biktima. Hindi ito panahon na maggulangan. Ang krisis ay hindi dapat gawing dahilan para sa ganyang gawain," he said.- GMANews.TV

New Map of Most Urgent Cases Needing Rescue

View Ondoy disaster situation map in a larger map

How to change the map view Click on the arrows, or click-and-drag the hand-shaped cursor, to move around the map. Click on + and - , or scroll the mouse wheel up and down, to zoom in and out. Click on the blue-colored link at the bottom edge of the map, to enlarge the Google map and see available search tools. To navigate between pages, first enlarge the map. Then scroll down to the bottom of the map page and click on "1" or "2" and so on.

What the different markers mean Each color-coded marker represents a specific Ondoy-related situation or event. blue pin - request for urgent help by stranded individuals, households, groups green pin - relief center, evacuation center, donation drop-off center green line - passable road sections purple line - impassable road sections purple-shaded pin or area - generally flooded, silted, or otherwise impassable area Click on any pin to see details of these emergency cases. Please share the map and information with any rescue teams looking for heroic things to do.