Guv calls for special session to declare a state of calamity in Surigao del Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel on Tuesday called for a special session to declare a state of calamity in the province after it was hit by Typhoon Odette, reportedly the most powerful storm to barrel the country this year.

“Kaya nga nagpatawag ako ng special session ngayon para mag-declare ng state of calamity kasi ang problema lahat ng LGUs (local government units), kaunti na lang ang calamity fund dahil nga sa [COVID-19] pandemic,” Pimentel said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(I called for a special session to declare a state of calamity because the problem is all LGUs have a small calamity fund because of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

“Pero nakapagbigay na kami ng mga food packs sa lahat ng karamihan ng LGUs at saka ‘yung province nakabigay na ng food packs sa mga ‘yung nag-evac, pero nagsi-uwian naman,” the governor added.

(But, we have provided food packs to almost all LGUs and those who evacuated.)

Pimentel also said that aside from the food packs, they are providing P10,000 to P20,000 assistance to victims whose houses were damaged.

The governor likewise noted they are visiting areas in the province to assess the damage although so far, he said, no government infrastructures in Surigao del Sur were reported destroyed.

Pimentel further announced that no fatalities were recorded, but one person was injured.

He likewise said 45,043 families or 104,237 individuals were affected by the typhoon in Surigao del Sur, and that 12 houses were totally damaged and 225 were partially damaged by the severe tropical storm.

Moreover, Pimentel noted that other local government units in the northern part of the province have no electricity up to now.

“Sa awa po ng Diyos, hindi naman masyadong malaki ‘yung sa amin. ‘Yung northern part lang ang medyo tinamaan pero ang grabe talaga ang Surigao del Norte,” Pimentel lamented.

(In God’s mercy, our damages are not that big. Only the northern part was hit but what suffered severe damages was Surigao del Norte.)

Based on a report from the Philippine National Police on Monday, 375 people were killed by the super typhoon.

However, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council announced Tuesday that there are 156 reported deaths due to Odette.

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KGA