MANILA — The Philippines vowed Sunday to “build back better” 100 days after its deadliest typhoon left thousands dead and millions without homes. Acknowledging that huge gaps in rehabilitation remained despite progress in humanitarian work, the government urged all Filipinos and donor agencies to keep extending support to those still vulnerable. “As we mark the 100th day after super typhoon Yolanda (local name of Haiyan), the government is firmly determined to carry out massive rehabilitation efforts in all 171 municipalities and cities affected by this unprecedented calamity,” said presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma. He said the disaster-prone country “must break the cycle of prediction, devastation and rehabilitation by adopting the principle of build back better” following the deadly storm. Haiyan slammed into the central Visayas region on November 8 last year with winds of up to 315 kilometers (195 miles) an hour, triggering unprecedented destruction that left four million without homes. It triggered huge tsunami-like storm surges that swallowed entire villages, killing at least 6,200 people with 2,000 others still missing. The United Nations in a statement Sunday said that 100 days on, “needs remain enormous”. It called on government and aid agencies not to be complacent and to find ways to house those still without roofs over their heads. Huge Filipino charity walk breaks Guinness records A Guinness World Records official says a Philippine Christian sect has broken two records for staging the largest charity walk to raise funds for survivors of last year's Typhoon Haiyan. Guinness adjudicator Kirsty Bennett says 175,509 Iglesia ni Cristo members turned up for the charity walk in Manila on Saturday. They beat a record set in Singapore, where 77,500 people joined a walk in 2000 to promote healthy living. — Agencies
