The confirmed death toll in landslides that hit the central and southern Philippine provinces reached 89, while 1,665 families had been accommodated in evacuation centers, officials said Monday. 

Twenty-three people were injured in the incidents, while 125 others are still missing, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director Melchor Rosales told reporters, adding that hopes for more survivors dimmed.

Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, for his part, said bad weather seriously hampered rescue operations, and that confirmed death toll will continue to rise. "It's been three days and our helicopters couldn't fly," Ermita said.

A separate report here said the United States Embassy in Manila is willing to offer its Chinook helicopters, which can fly in all weather conditions, as well as relief goods donations in the rescue operation.

Social Welfare Secretary Maria Corazon Soliman said the food supply at evacuation centers was enough for ten days, but she appealed to the public to donate food, drinking water and used clothing.

In a statement, the OCD said the landslides had caused 75.62 million pesos (US$1.36 million) in damages to infrastructure and 72.15 million (US$1.3 million) in damages to agriculture. 

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2003)