Yolanda-hit areas 'stabilizing' as death toll nears 5,000 – Roxas

(Updated 8:36 p.m.) The situation in areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is already “stabilizing” as the death toll from the calamity nears 5,000, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II said Friday.

At a press briefing, Roxas went on to say that the “most difficult” phase of the relief operations is already over. “Gayunpaman, masasabi natin na nalagpasan na natin ang pinakamahirap na bahagi nitong relief and recovery.”

Citing latest government data, Roxas said 4,919 people have already been confirmed dead as of Friday. Of this number, 1,725 were from Tacloban city, the area hardest hit by Yolanda, which lashed the Visayas on November 8, bringing monster winds and a surging wall of sea water.

Meanwhile, at least 1,582 were reported missing while 24,716 were injured, said Roxas, the national disaster management council vice chair for preparedness.

“We're now in ICU”

Roxas compared the affected areas to a hospital patient. “Kung nakaraang linggo, nasa emergency room tayo, madaliang inaagapan ang naghihingalong pasyente, nitong ikalawang linggo nasa ICU na tayo, maselan at malubha pa rin ang kalagayan, pero stabilized na,” he said.

Roxas said banks and businesses in Tacloban have resumed operations, and that there are no more reports of looting by hungry and desperate survivors.

“Nagbubukas na ang mga bangko, grocery at gasolinahan. Wala na pong looting. Wala nang mob. Wala nang report ng gulo,” Roxas said.

He added that roads have been cleared of debris, making access easier for the relief teams.

Roxas said relief goods have reached all 40 villages in Leyte and 24 in Eastern Samar. He also confirmed reports that only 20 out of 293 police personnel in Tacloban reported for work after Yolanda, although the situation now has changed.

“Ngayon, masasabi natin nasa 96 to 97 percent ng mga pulis na ito ay operational na,” he said.

He also said 100 of the 181 prisoners who escaped in Tacloban after Yolanda have been captured.

An average of 100,000 food packs are deployed in Yolanda-hit areas daily, with a total of over 1.14 million food packs as of Thursday, he said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab and Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News