5 towns of Eastern Samar under state of calamity

TACLOBAN CITY –– The provincial board has placed five towns of Eastern Samar under a state of calamity amid the devastation caused by Typhoon “Tisoy” (International name: Kammuri).

Although the entire province suffered from the onslaught of Tisoy, provincial administrator Nelson Cortez said they prioritized the areas heavily affected by the typhoon.

“The towns of Oras, Arteche, Maslog, San Policarpo, and Jipapad sustained major damage due to the massive flooding they experienced spawned by Typhoon Tisoy,” Cortez said.

He said the flooding in these areas reached 12 feet, submerging houses mostly made of light materials.

The provincial government has earlier assisted the affected families in the form of food packs.

With the declaration of the state of calamity, these towns could now use their respective calamity funds to address the needs of the people.

The report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said Tisoy affected 25,074 families or 46,776 individuals in Eastern Samar, which is composed of 22 towns and the city of Borongan.

Damage to crops, property, and infrastructure was pegged at P51.16 million.

In the five towns placed under a state of calamity, massive flooding affected 15,546 families involving 35,986 persons.

Also, 3,907 houses were damaged and 44 houses were destroyed.

Damage to infrastructure in these areas reached P5.59 million, while damage to crops and fisheries was placed at P33.42 million.

On December 4, Northern Samar province also declared a state of calamity due to Tisoy, the strongest typhoon to hit Eastern Visayas this year.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) reported that several police stations suffered P1 million damage due to Tisoy, according to a press statement issued by Police Brigadier General Ferdinand Divina.

Divina hoped that their central office would speed up the release of funds so these police stations could be repaired immediately.

“(The) PRO-8 is expecting its higher office to fast-track the release of funds for the immediate repair of said damaged infrastructures. Although this is an unfortunate event for Eastern Visayas, rest assured that this will not in any way hamper the delivery of service to the public,” Divina said.

EDITED BY LZB