Arroyo conducts aerial inspection of Albay

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday morning completed an aerial survey of typhoon-ravaged areas in Albay province, where up to a thousand residents are feared dead following a massive landslide at the slope of Mayon Volcano. Mrs Arroyo boarded the helicopter with Albay Gov. Fernando Gonzales, who had earlier bemoaned that the provincial coffers were running low even before super typhoon Reming struck. Disaster management officials and local government executives are scheduled to meet with the President for a special coordination meeting at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City, dzBB radio said. President Arroyo was clad in black during her visit as a symbol of her condolences for the affected residents. She also conducted the ceremonial handing out of relief goods and financial assistance. Vice President Noli de Castro accompanied Mrs Arroyo, while Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya came ahead of them for ocular inspections. Shortly before the President arrived, two cargo planes from Indonesia landed in Albay carrying relief goods for the affected local folk. Mrs Arroyo had authorized the release of P1 billion for recovery efforts in areas reeling from the impact of the typhoon. Also on Monday morning, the President visited Pasacao town in Camarines Sur with Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. -GMANews.TV