The entire province of Eastern Samar was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, Nov. 22, due to the "incessant rainfall and massive flooding, caused by the shear line and low-pressure area [LPA]."
Under Resolution No. 118 issued by the Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and posted by the Eastern Samar Provincial government, it stated that the state of calamity status was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
"The welfare, safety, and well-being of the citizens of the province is the paramount concern of our Provincial Governor Ben P. Evardone, Vice Governor Maria Caridad Sison-Goteesan, and the SP Members of Eastern Samar," the order reads.
"Whereas, declaration of the province under the state of calamity is appropriate and proper in order to extend relief assistance to the affected families, providing them holistic support and to repair/rehabilitate the damage and affected areas," it added.
Aside from Eastern Samar, a state of calamity was earlier declared in Northern Samar due to the intense flooding in the province, particularly in the Municipalities of Catarman and Lope de Vega.
The latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that the shear line and LPA have affected 453,137 individuals or 114,260 families in 534 barangays in Eastern Visayas.
Of the total, 38,696 individuals or 14,246 families are taking shelter inside 126 evacuation centers.
While 33,192 individuals or 7,842 families are staying with their family relatives and friends outside the evacuation centers.
Seventy-nine houses sustained damages — 64 were partially destroyed and 15 were totally destroyed.
One individual reportedly died in Eastern Visayas but this is under verification, according to the NDRRMC.
