Manila Times, Nov. 29,2004

Typhoon-hit Areas Get Relief
By Armand Galang

DINGALAN, Aurora - The composite team from government agencies continues to conduct a relief and rehabilitation operations in areas damaged by the recent typhoon "Violeta" here, east of Central Luzon, and adjoining towns.

After being slowed down last week by rains and 6- to 8-feet deep floodwaters that affected at least 8,500 families in the towns of Ma. Aurora, Dingalan, San Luis and Baler, all in Aurora province, rehabilitation teams had to use helicopters and large trucks in delivering goods and materials to the victims, The Manila Times was told on Sunday.

The composite team includes the search and rescue team from the National Food Authority, the Office of the Civil Defense, headed by Ester Felipe, and municipal government led by Mayor Jaime Ilarde and the military.

The team, sent through helicopter last week, was divided into two for deployment in barangays Paltic and Dipanikian. One of the teams was assigned on land and the other at the sea where 12 people were earlier recovered.

President Arroyo visited the affected areas on Friday.

As this developed, a team from NFA Nueva Ecija led by Provincial Manager Edelino Alejandro bypassed a broken bridge at Dingalan to deliver 100 sacks of rice to the town government's OCD.