05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

REAL, Dec 4: President Gloria Arroyo banned all commercial logging on Saturday as rescuers rushed aid to nearly a million wet and hungry survivors of two deadly storms that are feared to have left more than 1,100 dead, officials said.

Improving weather on the main island of Luzon in the wake of Typhoon Nanmadol allowed military cargo planes and helicopters to reach more areas of the Pampanga river basin, while navy craft laden with aid and heavy equipment headed for the Bicol peninsula and the northeast coast.

Pope John Paul said he was "deeply saddened" at the latest disaster to strike Asia's Roman Catholic outpost, and offered prayers for the victims, their families, and those engaged in rescue and relief.

The Red Cross estimated that up to 800,000 people may need help.

Arroyo flew by helicopter to the devastated towns of General Nakar, Infanta and Real early Saturday and "ordered the suspension of logging permits all over the country," said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, who accompanied her.

Officials have blamed widespread logging in the Sierra Madre mountain range for the deluge of mud, logs and boulders that buried much of the three towns.

"We are determined to make those responsible for widespread death and destruction to pay the price for their misdeeds, and we shall prosecute them the way we do terrorists, kidnappers, drug traffickers and other heinous criminals," Arroyo said in a statement.

She urged Congress to "amend existing environmental laws to promulgate stiffer penalties against illegal loggers and their cohorts."-AFP