STO. TOMAS, Pampanga – The local government here will donate 300 caskets to landslide victims in Benguet.

Pampanga 4th District Rep. Anna York Sagum and Mayor Joselito Naguit assured this after President Arroyo asked municipal government to provide the caskets.

The President visited this municipality that manufactures at least 70 percent of all caskets in the country to request town officials to supply additional caskets for landslide victims in Northern Luzon, particularly Benguet.

It was recalled that Benguet and Baguio City were reported to have run out of caskets and other funeral materials after the onslaught of killer landslides brought about by heavy rains from recent typhoons.

President Arroyo requested town officials and leading casket manufacturers to ship an initial 100 caskets, including 80 pieces for adults and 20 pieces for children.

Mrs. Arroyo offered two presidential helicopters to be used for the transport of the caskets but town officials said that the coffers may now be transported via land because Kennon Road is now passable.