Pampanga sending 500 coffins to Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - At least 500 coffins from Pampanga will arrive in Mindanao and will be distributed to areas where there are a high number of recorded fatalities.

Gov. Lilia Pineda initiated the delivery of the coffins to Mindanao, which the provincial government has ordered from coffin makers in the town of Sto. Tomas.

The province is known as the country's coffin capital. Its largest coffin manufacturer is Sto. Tomas.

Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo said the caskets, which cost from P2,000 to P3,000 each, are now being prepared for shipping to Mindanao through the assistance of the Office of Civil Defense.

Pelayo said that the cost of the 500 coffins will be shouldered by the provincial government.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has confirmed a total of 327 killed during the onslaught of typhoon "Pablo." At least 380 have been reported missing.

Majority of the fatalities are residents of Compostela Valley provinces, particularly in the towns of Monkayo and New Bataan.