Floods hamper relief work in Aurora

Floods and overflowing rivers continue to hamper relief work for provinces affected by typhoon Queenie, which lashed Luzon last weekend, GMANews.TV learned Tuesday. Vicente dela Cruz, mayor of Dilasag town in Aurora province, said floods caused by Queenie and by overflowing rivers continue to isolate several villages in his town. "We'll try to get the relief goods to residents especially in isolated areas. They really need food, clothing and medicine," dzRH radio quoted him as saying. Dilasag is a fourth-class municipality in Aurora. The 2000 census indicates it has a population of 14,676 people in 3,011 households. Aurora was one of the hardest-hit areas when Queenie slammed into Luzon last Saturday. Queenie made landfall in Casiguran town in the same province. "Residents have had to contend with floods and also water from overflowing rivers in higher lands. We have to find ways to get the relief goods there," dela Cruz said. He said the floods had washed away the road network connecting the town to places outside it. Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), said his group has offered to send tents to Aurora. Several residents in Aurora face a virtual waterworld after Queenie blew off the roofs of their houses.-GMANews.TV