Gov't must exert all-out efforts on calamity preparedness and disaster response to lessen lost of lives and livelihood

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that government agencies concerned with disaster and calamity response must do everything they can to help rice farmers who are in danger of losing their harvests and crops due to Supertyphoon Paeng.

"Poor farmers in the countryside are always likely to suffer the damaging effects of natural calamities including typhoons," said KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod.

Maglunsod said that the harvesting season in most rice farms in Northern Luzon take place starting October until December particularly in Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, La Union and Ilocos provinces.

"If typhoon Paeng will continue its trail then we can expect bigger and long term damages than typhoon Milenyo. After Milenyo, rice and coconut farmers in Southern Tagalog, Bicol and Central Luzon provinces lost at least P162 million worth of crops. Now with Paeng and upcoming typhoons that will hit the country, the government must provide all necessary help and assistance to the needy. Disaster preparedness and proper allocation of budget for calamity victims will lessen the lost of lives and livelihood in trying times like this," Maglunsod further said.

The KMU-initiated relief operation drive dubbed as "Task Force Obrero" is still ongoing in factories and work places. Workers of KMU-affiliate unions are asked to voluntarily give donations of rice, canned goods, used clothes, medicine, water and other relief goods that will be distributed to typhoon stricken urban poor communities in Metro Manila and various areas in Cavite, Laguna and Central Luzon.

Typhoon Paeng with international code name Cimaron, is now on its trail to Cagayan, Ilocos and Cordillera regions. Based on latest Pag-asa forecasts, typhoon Paeng packs sustained winds of 195 kph and gust winds estimated at 210 kph.