PAF airlifts 3,696 civilians from Tacloban to Cebu, Manila

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 14): PAF airlifts 3,696 civilians from Tacloban to Cebu, Manila

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has airlifted at least 3,696 civilians from Tacloban City in Leyte to Cebu and Manila since last Saturday.

Many of these evacuees stayed temporarily at the Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City and temporary shelters in Cebu City.

Lt. Col. Marciano Jesus Guevara, spokesperson of the PAF Second Air Division, said those who need immediate medical attention were given priority in the airlift.

Guevara said they continue to deliver relief goods to Eastern Visayas, especially Tacloban City, six to seven times a day using two of PAF's three operational C-130 cargo planes.

The evacuees were airlifted on their return trips to Cebu.

Guevara also said at least eight foreign commercial and military aircraft carrying food packs, medicines, tents, blankets and water-purifying machines arrived at the Mactan Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City.

Guevara said two C-130 cargo planes from Taiwan and C-17 Globemaster from Australia arrived in the airbase Wednesday.

“The humanitarian aid we received is overwhelming. The sympathetic gesture of the international community gives us high spirits," he said.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete said 588 tons of relief goods from Europe are expected to arrive in Cebu.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said the ports of Tacloban City and Ormoc City are operational.

Ports in the cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan in Samar; San Isidro and Allen in Northern Samar; Baybay City, and Hilongos in Leyte; and Maasin City, Southern Leyte are also operational again.

But the ports in Borongan City and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Isabel and Palompon in Leyte; and Naval, Biliran have no communications.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=586772