The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday, Nov. 23, deployed 40 personnel from the Public Safety Division and Road Emergency Group to Northern and Eastern Samar following the flood that hit the provinces.

In a statement, the MMDA said the personnel would be divided into two groups to “conduct humanitarian and relief operations to affected residents.”

Each group would bring 30 units of solar-powered water purification systems that could filter 180 gallons of water per hour.

“With the lack of potable water supply in the area, our team’s main task is to set up water filtration systems in communities with limited to zero supply of clean water to drink,” MMDA Chairman Don Artes said.

He also noted that one group of humanitarian contingent could produce 21,600 liters of water every hour.

“This is in response to the directive of President Marcos to extend humanitarian assistance to our kababayans in Northern and Eastern Samar who have been severely affected by heavy flooding,” the MMDA Chairman added.

Artes also said that the groups would stay in respective provinces as needed to fully attend to the needs and concerns of residents in the areas.

Both Northern and Eastern Samar have been placed under a state of calamity following landslides and heavy rains that caused flooding.