Northern samar: Northern Samar and Eastern Samar provinces have been placed under a state of calamity following widespread destruction caused by Super Typhoon Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong, earlier this week.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Northern Samar provincial government announced on Thursday that Governor Harris Ongchuan, who chairs the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), approved the recommendation to declare a state of calamity. This decision was made after PDRRMC officer Rei Josiah Echano proposed the resolution in light of the super typhoon's extensive impact on lives, homes, and infrastructure.
Uwan struck Northern Samar with intense winds and heavy rains from the evening of November 8 until noon on November 9, displacing 36,843 families, or approximately 130,356 individuals, primarily from coastal, landslide-prone, and other vulnerable regions. The PDRRMC recorded 94,199 affected families across 548 villages, with 16,826 houses partially damaged and 426 completely destroyed, mainly in the municipalities of Biri, Laoang, and Rosario.
Rapid damage assessment and needs analysis teams also reported significant damage to public infrastructures, including the collapse of the iconic Pinusilan Bridge due to massive waves and storm surges. Following the resolution's approval, the PDRRMC will forward it to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) for legislative action during its upcoming session on Friday. Governor Ongchuan stated that the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is tasked with developing a plan to provide shelter and assistance to affected residents, prioritizing those most severely impacted and lacking means to recover.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Samar provincial board also approved a resolution on Wednesday recommending a state of calamity in the province due to the damage caused by Typhoons Tino and Uwan. Endorsed by the PDRRMC and presided over by Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, the decision followed an assessment of the destruction left by the two consecutive cyclones. Initial data indicated that 323 houses were completely destroyed, while 2,529 sustained partial damage, and a total of 47,178 families were displaced from their homes.
No casualties were reported in Eastern Samar, which Governor Evardone credited to the timely implementation of preemptive and forced evacuations by local government units. Initial damage estimates reached PHP9.2 million in agriculture, PHP29 million in infrastructure, PHP730,000 in livestock and poultry, and PHP6.7 million in fisheries. Evardone emphasized that the declaration would expedite aid delivery to affected families and allow the province to access disaster funds like the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund and the Quick Response Fund. Furthermore, price control measures on basic necessities and prime commodities will take effect with the declaration, the governor noted. Relief operations for affected families continue, supported by the provincial government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
