Southern Leyte province has been placed under a state of calamity as Typhoon Odette left a trail of massive destruction, killing at least 13 and rendering thousands of families homeless in its capital city and 18 towns.
Governor Damian Mercado issued the declaration on Monday to hasten the rescue, relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts of the provincial government and ensure the provision of basic services.
“All provincial offices and other concerned government agencies are hereby directed to implement and execute rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation work in accordance with the pertinent operational plans and directives,” Mercado said in his declaration.
The declaration of a state of calamity imposes a price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities and requires agencies to monitor and stop overpricing, profiteering, and hoarding of food, medicines, and fuel.
Reports coming from police stations in Southern Leyte showed that there are at least 13 typhoon-related deaths, including seven in Saint Bernard town, three in Malitbog, and one each in Tomas Oppus, Macrohon, and Padre Burgos.
The Southern Leyte provincial disaster risk reduction and management council reported that there are 6,689 individuals in evacuation centers in Maasin City; 2,655 in Macrohon; 3,440 in Padre Burgos; 207 in Limasawa; 132 in Malitbog; 379 in Tomas Oppus; 1,369 in Bontoc; 4,864 in Sogod; 1,149 in Libagon; 327 in Liloan; 1,661 in San Juan; 481 in Anahawan; 261 in Hinundayan; 1,132 in Hinunangan; 1,544 in Silago; 1,369 in Pintuyan; and 880 in San Ricardo town.
The provincial government is still struggling to gather reports since mobile phone signals are still unavailable in the entire province. The entire province has been hit by a power outage since December 16.
After twice hitting land in Siargao and Dinagat Islands, “Odette” made its third landfall in Liloan town and fourth landfall in nearby Padre Burgos town before unleashing its wrath in Central Visayas.
The typhoon crossed Caraga and Eastern Visayas regions on December 16 with a maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 270 kph.
Source: Philippines News Agency
