Meanwhile, the government started increasing police visibility in middle class gated subdivisions which were hard hit by Ketsana, They were fielded in subdivisions in flood-stricken villages in suburban Marikina, Pasig and Cainta, Rizal, said Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa, adding that robbers would to prevent supurt in robberies.

Accountant Mary Jo Meneses visited another auto repair shop in Metro Manila's Pasig city -- some areas of which remained flooded five days after the disaster -- to canvass repair costs for her family's van, jeep and sedan.

Arroyo said she had temporarily moved office to the headquarters of the presidential security force in another section of the compound along the Pasig river.