by Martin Abbugao

MANILA - Hundreds of Philippine flood survivors poured into the presidential palace on Tuesday after President Gloria Arroyo threw open the seat of government as part of disaster relief efforts.

In a series of extraordinary scenes, street sweepers and other members of Manila's poorest sector of society flocked to Malacanang Palace in search of food, medicine and shelter.

"Evacuees will be given shelter in available areas among the Malacanang buildings and in tents that will be put up in between the buildings," Arroyo said in a statement late on Monday.

"If required, our employees will yield their work stations to provide more space for our displaced countrymen."

The first arrivals Tuesday included about 30 people who came to get plastic bags filled with noodles and canned sardines, after losing their homes upstream from the Pasig River.

"We just heard it in the news that they are giving relief goods at the palace so we walked for one hour," said street sweeper Rosette Serrano, 31.

Serrano said she lost everything "except my clothes" when her home was submerged in the neck-deep waters that ravaged Manila and neighbouring provinces of Luzon island on Saturday.

At least 240 people were killed and nearly two million people affected in the devastating floods. More 370,000 others were forced to seek shelter in evacuation camps.

As the news of Arroyo's palace offer spread among Manila's poorest neighbourhoods, hundreds more people converged on the palace gates, while volunteers arrived to repack boxes full of aid donations.

"I hope they also give us rice because we don't have anything to cook for lunch," said Noriel Javier, 30.

However, no one had so far been allowed to remain inside the compound.

"We cannot just allow every evacuee in because of logistical and security problems," Arroyo aide Wilfredo Oca told AFP.

People who lost their homes and want to stay at the palace must first be vetted by the Roman Catholic church or aid organisations.

Approved people would then be allowed to put up tents at the palace grounds or stay in the ceremonial Heroes' Hall, Oca said.

Arroyo said she had temporarily moved her office to another section of the compound along the Pasig river, which cuts through Metro Manila.

The palace was built in the early 19th century as the official residence of the Spanish colonial administrator.

It became infamous for the 3,000-plus shoe collection that Imelda Marcos left behind when a 1986 bloodless popular revolt ended the 20-year regime of her husband, Ferdinand Marcos.

Arroyo normally lives at the palace, where she also receives heads of state. It has been a rallying point for protesters, but members of the public are usually kept at a distance by a barrier 500 metres away from the gate.

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