Northern samar: Northern Samar was officially placed under a state of calamity following the widespread destruction caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong), the provincial government announced on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the provincial government, in its official Facebook page, stated that the declaration was approved during a special session held on November 14, 2025, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by Governor Harris Ongchuan.

The declaration aims to expedite the province’s disaster response, rehabilitation, and recovery initiatives, particularly in severely affected communities.

The PDRRM office reported that Super Typhoon Uwan caused extensive damage to residential areas, infrastructure, and essential lifeline services. A Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis report revealed that 49,327 families were displaced, while total damage across all sectors reached an estimated PHP119.1 million.

Governor Ongchuan emphasized the urgent need for shelter assistance for affected households, citing the PDRRMO report, which detailed 22,306 partially damaged houses and 658 destroyed structures. The state of calamity declaration empowers local government units to mobilize their quick response funds and resources to provide immediate relief.

‘With thousands of families displaced, we need to act swiftly and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most,’ the governor said in a statement.

Under the SP resolution, the state of calamity in Northern Samar will remain in effect for one year, granting authorities the flexibility to undertake long-term recovery and rehabilitation programs.