Aquino visits town first hit by Haiyan
Play
Manila (dpa) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Sunday visited for the first time an eastern town that was the first to feel the fury of Typhoon Haiyan last week.
He promised to help rebuild areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan, which killed 3,681 people and displaced nearly 4 million.
Aquino said the government, which has been criticized for a slow first response to the disaster, "will leave no stone unturned to find a way to give you what you need."
"But you also have to start rebuilding on your own, it will make rehabilitation faster," he told local officials.
He also said he plans to spend the coming days visiting on checking relief operation and rehabilitation needs in the affected areas.
The storm killed 99 people and left 16 people missing in Guiuan town in Samar province, according to Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales.
Gonzales asked for assistance from the president to help rebuild the coastal town of 47,000 people.
"The people here want their livelihood back, they don't just want to rely on relief goods alone," he said. "We are determined to rebuild our town."
