The confirmed death toll from the massive landslides in the central Philippine province of Southern Leyte has risen to 161 from the early reported 89, the National Disaster Coordination Commission (NCDD) announced Monday.

Defense Secretary and NCDD Chairman Eduardo Ermita also said the death toll is expected to grow as more bodies of those previously declared missing are being dug out of the debris.

Ermita has flown to Southern Leyte, bringing along goods for disaster relief. He said two C-130 cargo planes from the US military have joined in the rescue operation.

Mass graves were also prepared to quickly bury the perished ones in an effort to prevent outbreak of diseases, as public utility and sanitary facilities in the affected areas have been largely disabled.

Meanwhile, 22 have been confirmed dead after a weekend flash flood hit the southern province of Surigo del Norte, which is separated only by a narrow strait from Southern Leyte.

Authorities have declared these incidents as natural disasters. Some environmentalist groups are blaming the tragedies on the local residents' undisciplined deforestation activities.

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2003)