Philippine govt to speed up burial of typhoon victims

MANILA - The Philippine government said Thursday that it will try to speed up the burial of some 1,400 bodies, which remained in open mass graves almost two months after typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippine province of Leyte.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the National Bureau of Investigation ( NBI) is also modifying its procedure to fast-track the identification of cadavers.

"The Department of Health has sent 1,500 body bags and protective kits for personnel doing the work. Additional backhoes and pay loaders have also been sent and the NBI has redeployed its forensic team on the ground," said Coloma in a press briefing in Malacanang, the presidential palace.

Residents in Leyte province have been complaining that the open mass graves where cadavers have been rotting may pose risks to their health.

Based on the latest report from the Philippine disaster agency, the death toll from typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, has climbed to 6,155.