CATARMAN, Northern Samar-The province of Northern Samar was placed under a state of calamity on Monday (Jan.16) due to the damages it sustained from the heavy rains spawned by a trough of a low pressure area (LPA).

The declaration of a state of calamity was made official through a resolution approved by the provincial board on Monday upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Gov. Edwin Ongchuan.

The continuous heavy rainfall, experienced by the province last week, resulted in flooding and landslide incidents affecting 55,789 families comprising 238,322 individuals, report from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said.

It also said that the calamity also damaged various roads and bridges with a cost of P420 million and another P104.6 million losses in its agriculture sector.

The heavy rains also resulted in the deaths of two persons, one was a soldier who crossing a river in San Isidro town to help rescue flood victims in the said area.

With the declaration, the provincial government could now use its calamity fund to help the affected families.

The provincial government through its social welfare office has earlier distributed food packs and other essentials to the families affected by flooding across the province.
Northern Samar is the second province in Eastern Visayas which declared a state of calamity.

Last Jan.6, the province of Eastern Samar was placed under a state of calamity due to the massive damages it sustained due to the LPA-induced heavy rains to include the sustained rains it experienced last December 24 due to the effect of a shear line.
The province as reported by Gov. Ben Evardone affected 72,197 families consisting of 249,022 individuals and damaged its infrastructures and crops at a total cost of P226 million.

Two persons from its provincial capital of Borongan also died related to the calamity after their boat capsized due to the heavy rains.
(EUGENE M. ENANO)

Kananga, Leyte – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Leyte 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) completes the construction of Canawagan Flood Control (Upstream) in Kananga, Leyte.

The Php 144,749,999.97 flood mitigation structure has a total project net length of 1,300 lineal meters with a 2-meter maintenance lane on both sides. It is constructed along Canawagan River in Brgy. Natubgan, Kananga, Leyte to protect residential properties and farmlands against perennial flooding during heavy rain and typhoons.

Funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2022, this project is in line with the Department’s mandate to build 13 flood control systems in Leyte 4th District for CY 2022, 8 of which were already completed, to serve as long-term solution in reducing damages to flood-prone areas thus ensuring the safety of the public. (PR)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Flood victims from Mapanas town received food packs from Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go on Tuesday (Jan.17).

The senator, however, failed to personally hand in the food packs to the flood victims after the plane he was on board developed a mechanical problem.

“However, we made sure that the scheduled activities, particularly the distribution of much-needed assistance to the affected families, be conducted without delay. My staff had been on the ground in Northern Samar for several days already, assisting local authorities to address the needs of the victims,” Go said.

The senator’s outreach team proceeded with the distribution activity as part of Go’s dedicated efforts to help uplift the lives of Filipinos in crisis situations.

Held at the municipal gymnasium, Go’s staff distributed relief items, such as grocery packs, meals, masks, vitamins, shirts, and umbrellas to 500 disadvantaged residents.

In addition, they also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development likewise extended financial assistance to the flood victims.

In his video message, the senator extended his gratitude and recognition to the provincial officials led by Governor Edwin Ongchuan and congressmen Paul Daza and Harris Christopher Ongchuan for their immediate assistance and action for the victims of the flooding incidents that hit the province last week.

“Nais ko pong humingi ng pasensya sa ating mga kababayan diyan sa Mapanas. Alam ko pong naghintay kayo, kahit ako ay nais kayong makita. Kaya naman sa abot ng aking makakaya ay sisiguraduhin kong mabisita kayo ulit,” said Go.

Flood victims from Lavezares and Catarman also received same food assistance from the senator. (EUGENE M. ENANO)