National gov't in relief operations in E. Samar

GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Mar Roxas yesterday flew to this Yolanda-devastated town for further assessment of the situation in the province and to administer relief operations in the area.

Secretary Ricky Carandang, of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning, who was with Roxas, said Eastern Samar was not hit by storm surges, although the real impact of Yolanda was most evident in the towns south of Borongan City, the provincial capital.

Carandang reported that the local government unit of Guiuan, being intact and fully functional, has been assisting in the relief operations of the national government.

The town mayor has been directing relief operations and coordinating the distribution of relief  goods not only for Guiuan but also for the towns of Mercedes, Salcedo, Hernani, Balangkayan, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Balangiga, and Lawaan.

Guiuan itself serves as a hub from which relief goods are sourced for affected towns in Eastern Samar, said Carandang while noting that relief efforts in the area are well-organized and well-coordinated and that relief and rescue teams have been provided with the necessary resources for their operations.

Funds for these are provided by the national government, while the LGU handles operations, and foreign groups and missions, such as the US and French contingents, handle the logistics and medical services.

Power, telecommunications, and fuel scarcity are among the concerns confronted by Guiuan, said Carandang who vowed to coordinate with telecommunications companies that would ensure sustainability and reliability of  signal.

On fuel scarcity, there is a possibility of setting up a depot in Western Samar to provide gas for the province, he said.

There are now regular flights from Guiuan to Cebu, but none yet between Manila and Guiuan. Around 200 people in Guiuan have expressed their desire to go to Manila, and Carandang said that, to facilitate their transport, he will arrange for a RORO trip for them. — Eastern Samar Updates (FREEMAN)