Philippine typhoon: Aquino criticises local officials
Filipinos scramble for aid which is starting to arrive via helicopter, as Rajini Vaidyanathan reports
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has criticised authorities in some areas for not being fully prepared for the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
During a visit to the coastal town of Guiuan, he praised local officials for carrying out a proper evacuation, but said it was in contrast to other towns.
Mr Aquino has been criticised for his own government's response.
Meanwhile survivors have attended services for victims of Haiyan, which killed more than 3,600 nine days ago.
In many places, including the mostly flattened city of Tacloban in Leyte province, Masses were held in half-destroyed and flooded churches.
The international aid effort is starting to have a major impact, with Britain's HMS Daring warship joining the huge relief operation.
The typhoon - which had some of the strongest winds ever recorded on land - also left about 500,000 people homeless.
Guiuan, in Samar province, was the first town hit by the typhoon as it came ashore on 8 November. Mr Aquino said the evacuation ordered by the mayor had limited deaths there to fewer than 100.
But he suggested officials in other places had not been so well prepared.
Remote parts of the Philippines cut off by Typhoon Haiyan have started to receive aid, as Rajesh Mirchandani reports
"As your president, I am not allowed to get angry even if I am already upset," he told reporters. He said that he would have to "stomach" his anger.
He also urged people to show patience. "Our main problem now is feeding 1.4 million people every day. But the government has the resources and we're moving faster."
Mr Aquino also visited Tacloban, and said the government would provide everything people needed.
Earlier Philippine Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman acknowledged that the national relief response had been slow.
"We will double our efforts to distribute relief goods because we've been hearing complaints," she said.
'Faith strengthened'
On Sunday, thousands attended church services across the mainly Roman Catholic country.
Many came to give thanks for surviving the storm, while others prayed for their loved ones that died.
"I wish to thank the Lord. We asked for his help for all the people who survived this typhoon to be able to eat and continue a life that is hopefully more blissful," Belen Curila told AFP news agency at a service in Guiuan.
In Tacloban, Father Amadero Alvero led a service for some 500 people in the half-destroyed and flooded Santo Nino church.
"Despite what happened, we still believe in God," he said.
As the morning Masses were held, the international relief effort continued to build.
US helicopters have been dropping food, water and other supplies from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
The navy helicopters have been mobbed by hungry villagers, as they deliver desperately needed aid to remote areas.
President Aquino (centre) has been criticised over his government's response
Typhoon Haiyan was one of the most powerful typhoons ever to hit land
Some Sunday services were held in destroyed churches, like this one in Guiuan
Many of those attending prayers are now homeless
However the United Nations said people were still going hungry in mountainous regions.
"I remain concerned about the health and well-being of the millions of men, women and children who are still in desperate need," UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos said in a statement.
UK effort
Britain's HMS Daring - which is now is off the coast of Cebu City - is the latest vessel to join the relief effort.
Its crew is now preparing to despatch aid to the Panay Island, in the far west of Cebu.
Another British ship - the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious - is on its way to the Philippines.
On Saturday Britain has announced it will give an extra £30m ($50m) in emergency aid, bringing UK assistance to £50m. The DEC said donations it had collected from the public had reached £33m.
About 11 million people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, according to UN estimates.
It was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on land, with winds exceeding 320km/h (200 mph) unleashing massive waves.
Health experts have warned that the worst-affected areas are entering a peak danger period for the spread of infectious diseases.
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