Relief operations to a flooded Eastern Samar continues

By SENTAY B. QUITORIO
March 9, 2008

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  PAGCOR (Philippine amusement and Gaming Corporation) conducted a 5-day Medical Mission side by side with a Relief Operation following orders from the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It started March 7 to end March 11, 2008 in identified priority municipalities.

According to the report of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development 40,859 families are affected, 17 dead, 4 missing, 31 injured as of press time. While an estimated total damage cost at P199,308,926.50. PSWDO also reported that these damages include that infrastructure, agriculture and damage to personal properties. Further the social welfare office confirmed that it is based on the reports submitted by 12 municipalities only, and that they are still waiting reports from other towns.

During the Presidential visit of PGMA last February 23, 2008 in Dolores, the families of the victims of flood received 20 thousand pesos, and later 5 thousand pesos from Governor Ben P. Evardone. The provincial government also distributed food packs as immediate answer to the needs. While PGMA committed 200 million, half of it goes to Northern Samar, to rehabilitate damages.

Governor Evardone and the employees of the provincial government offered a “requiem” mass for the eternal rest of the 17 victims of the flood.

Prior to these operations of PAGCOR, Non-government Organizations, local catholic church, private individuals and groups aside from government initiated out-reach programs joined forces to  provide immediate relief to the victims of the calamity.

While Congressman Teodulo M. Coquilla of the Lone District of Eastern Samar also allocated P5 million worth of food packs distributed to affected families and individuals all over the province followed by  series of medical missions in areas where there is an outbreak of diarrhea. Coquilla also confirmed to have received help from colleagues in congress.

Congressman Coquilla and Governor Evardone received the relief goods and medicines from PGMA through PAGCOR before it was airlifted by C130 at the Villamor Airbase last March 6, 2008.

PAGCOR team headed by Jun Evangelista confirmed that their team brought to the province medicines and relief good for 10 thousand individuals. Governor Ben Evardone and the social services prioritized recipients according to accessibility. The recommended Barangays are along the rivers of Dolores, Oras, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Borongan, Arteche and Can-avid.