Two casualties were reported amidst the strong flooding that submerged provinces in Eastern Visayas, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Armand Balilo on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
"Kahapon, merong naireport na dalawang casualties. Yung isa nakita ko na nakuha ng isang Philippine Coast Guard personnel. Maliban doon ay sa ngayon ay wala pa namang naidagdag na ulat na nasawi," Balilo said in an interview during DZRH Damdaming Bayan.
He said the search and rescue operation by PCG and other local agencies is still ongoing.
"Nag-rescue tayo at nag-evacuate ng mga pamilya na mga na-trap dahil sa taas ng tubig, in particular po sa [Municipality of] Catarman and sa Eastern Samar. Kagabi ang report ay ongoing pa rin at mataas ang tubig. We have yet to receive a report ngayon umaga. Hinihintay lang natin ang feedback," Balilo said.
The PCG Spokesperson assured that there are sufficient personnel deployed for the search and rescue operation.
Rear Admiral Armadn Balilo, Spokesperson , PCG, sa pagresponde sa Northen Samar: Nag-rescue tayo at nag-evacuate ng mga pamilya na mga na-trap dahil sa taas ng tubig sa Catarman.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 22, 2023
LIVE: https://t.co/uuIRUIFQyz pic.twitter.com/xMcvIg1gln
In a Facebook post, the Coast Guard reported that it rescued a total of 400 residents or 80 families in the Municipality of Catarman, Northern Samar province wherein the flood reached up to the rooftops of several houses.
"Binubuo ito ng humigit-kumulang 80 pamilya mula sa Brgy. Macagtas, Brgy. Molave, Brgy. Yakal, Brgy. Narra at Brgy. Ipil-ipil. Liban sa Catarman, puspusan din ang evacuation at rescue operation na isinagawa ng mga PCG personnel at iba pang first responders sa mga munisipalidad ng Biri, Palapag, at San Jose, Northen Samar," it said.
On Tuesday, Nov. 21, the Northern Samar provincial government announced that Governor Edwin Ongchuan declared a state of calamity in the province.
"Governor Edwin Ongchuan has officially declared a State of Calamity in the Province of Northern Samar in response to the devastating effects of heavy rainfall and widespread flooding," it said in a Facebook post.
"This declaration follows the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and has been authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. With this declaration, the provincial government can now mobilize resources and implement urgent measures to address the impacts of the natural disaster and provide immediate relief to affected communities," it added.
