BORONGAN CITY, December 18, 2017–The entire province of Eastern Samar is now under a state of calamity due to severe damage caused by Tropical Storm Urduja which battered the province over the weekend.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed the resolution declaring a state of calamity yesterday afternoon, acting on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
The tropical storm which dumped heavy rains, caused widespread flooding and landslides destroying infrastructure, agriculture and private property.
Heavily affected were barangays along most of the rivers in Eastern Samar.
Based on initial data gathered vy the PDRRMC, more than 59,000 families in 374 barangays are affected. About 19,200 persons were evacuated at the height of the typhoon.
Initial report of damage to agiculture is pegged at over P262 M, with the municipality of Dolores which is the rice granary of the province as having the biggest reported damage.
Damage to public and private infrastructure is P1.373M. This figure is expected to go up as disaster officials continue the province-wide assessment of the destruction caused by Urduja.
Two deaths were confirmed as of today, 10 were injured and 9 are still missing.
With the declaration, the province can now “utilize its calamity fund, rendering necessary assistance to the affected constituents”.
The provincial government has started distributing food packs to different municipalities, giving priority to the severely affected.
Provincial officials assured their constituents that help is on the way.
Meanwhile, roads going in and out of Eastern Samar are now passable. Electricity has also been restored. (Eden Cidro/Este News)
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