Provincial Capitol, Catarman, Northern Samar
November 23, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a directive to all concerned agencies to ensure the swift delivery of assistance to localities to mitigate the combined effects of a shear line and low-pressure area (LPA) in Northern Samar.

The President made these statements as he presided over a situation briefing via a virtual conference.

Last Tuesday, following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the entire province was declared in a state of calamity. This declaration came in response to the heavy rainfall brought by the shear line, which resulted in widespread flooding, displaced families and damaged infrastructure, roads and properties.

According to the latest figures from Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan, approximately 70,295 families or 306,770 individuals have been affected by the incessant rains in the province. From 20-21 November 2023, within a 30-hour period, the amount of rainfall was recorded at 701.5mm, brought about by the shear line. This figure surpasses the 2009 Tropical Storm Ondoy, which recorded 454.9mm of rainfall.

“A month’s rainfall in just 30 hours,” the provincial official stressed. He noted, however, that the PDRRMC has already taken action. The declaration of the state calamity has been followed by the activation of response clusters, the management of the evacuation center at the Capitol Gym, and the establishment of media and donation centers.

Moving forward, the provincial government plans to distribute family food packs, transport relief goods, and distribute emergency shelter kits to affected households. The effort will be coordinated with various national government agencies and other partners. The Governor mentioned receiving a call from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who will be flying to the province the following day to personally deliver relief assistance.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture (DA) also plans to distribute seedlings to the affected agriculture communities.

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