Guv seeks restoration of COVID-19 isolation units in E. Samar

BORONGAN CITY, May 21 (PIA) – Governor Ben Evardone is seeking the help of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter Agency Task Force on COVID-19 to help some municipalities of Eastern Samar restore and repair their COVID-19 isolation units damaged by Typhoon Ambo on May 14.

Evardone was interviewed by the Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) Usapang Bayan host Mike Abe on May 20.

He said that half of the isolation units in the northern municipalities were damaged by Typhoon Ambo.

In the report of Dr. Rodel Delgado of the Provincial Health Office, he said that the COVID-19 isolation unit in Jipapad town was totally damaged while partially damaged in Arteche, San Policarpo, Maslog and Oras.

The governor lamented  that the local government units focused almost all its resources to preparing the COVID-19 isolation units only to be damaged by typhoon Ambo.

"Grabe ang paghahanda namin sa COVID-19," he said adding that the funds were scoured for COVID-19 preps like buying PPEs, health essentials, drugs, and construction of isolation units in all municipalities.

"Our evacuation centers were transformed into Isolation units."

He reported that of the 23 towns and one city in E. Samar, nine municipalities are reeling from the effects of the typhoon where 47 thousand families are affected, adding that the victims also need food and shelter.

Typhoon Ambo killed three Estehanons, destroyed houses, classrooms, health centers, boats, government structures and even the church of Arteche town. It also destroyed plants, fruits trees and coconuts. The heavy rains drenched the newly harvested palays stored in the homes of poor families.

Although Evardone claims that the province remains COVID-19 free, he still would want to repair the different isolation facilities.

As to assistance pouring in to his province, Evardone cited that the province received 4 thousand food packs  from the DSWD which his team delivered to Arteche.

He also mentioned that Sen. Bong Go gave more than a thousand food packs for Maslog and Jipapad and that the provincial government also brought in thousands of food packs for the victims

"Ang aming pokus ay mamigay ng pagkain para hindi magutom mga kababayan natin," he said.

He added that Sen. Bong Go also promised to extend financial assistance to the towns hit by Ty Ambo.

Presently, electricity is still out in the five municipalities of Oras, San Policarpo, Maslog, Jipapad and Arteche.

"Nagbagsakan poste ng kuryente and communication is still down," he said.

He is just thankful that two days after the typhoon, the roads were cleared that his team was able to check on the situation in the affected areas.

Just last December, 2019, the southern part of the province was also severely damaged by Typhoon Ursula that killed three people and destroyed the livelihood  of many families in the southern part of the province.

The eastern seaboard, where the province is located is the favorite target place of some 20-25 typhoons a year. (nbq/PIA E. Samar)

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