3. - usaid

were washed away, &I the same mad, in Bato, an the west; coast, the bridge
broke, tilting 35 degrees to cme side, rendering it impassable by vehicles.
In Eastern Samar, beyond General MacArthw town on the mad to Borangan,
the provincial capital, a nwlber of bridges were also destroyed or washed
away. Many carabaos and work animals drowned. Thousands; of coconut trees
and banana plants were blown dawn in Samar and kyte, me damge caused by
the typhoons in Samar campounded the losses resulting frcm a drought that
hit the province earlier in 1968.
Partial reports on the cost of property damage total $9.6 million broken
d m to $4.1 million in Bohol; kyte $5.2 million; Western Samar $256,000.
Estimated dollar dmqe in other affected areas was not available.
ACI'ICN TAKEN BY ?HE GO-
OF ?HE PHILIPPINES
The Meld offices of the Philippines Department of Social Welfare (EN) in
the affected areas were quick to report to the Department on casualties and
damages. The regional and provincial offices of the Department of Health,
local chapters of the Philippine National Red Cross, and Civic Action
Centers of the Amed Forces of the Philippines were also quick to report on
matters affecting their respective spheres.
President Marcos gave instructions to the various relief agencies to
coordinate relief efforts and to provide all the assistance required by the
situation. The Departmnt of Public Works and (bmunlcat:lons was directed
by the Pmsident to undertake imnediate repair of destroyed bridges,
public roads and other public works.
The Department of Social Welfare released 228,000 pesos ($58,460) to its
field offices for assistance to disaster victims. Within its limited
resources, the Department tried to meet the needs of the typhoon victims,
Assistance was provided also fimn private sources but the value was not
reported. Requests were made hwn various dioceses, parirshes and missions
in the disaster area for food from U. S. voluntary agencir?~,
ASSISTANCE PMED BY THE U.
S. GOVEFNMENT
USAID approved diversion of USG Public Law 480, Tltle 11, Food for Peace
comnodities on hand in U. S. voluntary agencies1 stocks to meet urgent
requests. The food was shipped to Surigao del Norte in &stern Mindanao,
Palawan which belongs to the hzon group, and to the Visayas fhm stocks
of Catholic Relief Services and Seventh-Day Adventist Welf'are Service and
were distributed to 187,330 recipients. Camnodities, quantities and value
were as follows:
246,200 pounds bulgw wheat
87,220 pounds of CSM Formula 2
128,100 pounds of rolled oats
23,600 pounds of rolled wheat
123,046 pounds of soybean oil
240,430 pounds of cornmeal
234-050 pounds of flour
pounds with market value of . , . , . . . . . . . $60,800