Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, November 20) – The mayor of a town in Eastern Samar said on Monday that the local disaster response budget has been used up because of back-to-back calamities.
“We always appeal for assistance because of our situation being a flood prone town and because of this, our DRR (disaster risk reduction) funds are already depleted,” Jipapad Mayor Benjamin Ver said.
He said Jipapad has been hit by floods year-to-date, each usually lasting for two to three days depending on the weather in the northern part of the municipality.
Ver said the town still has food packs ready for distribution to flood victims. Authorities distributed relief goods to victims in evacuation centers.
Residents outside the town proper may have to be patient as floods make it difficult to reach their areas.
“We usually wait until the water subsides before we distribute food packs in upstream barangays,” the mayor said.
Floodwaters began to rise on Monday morning that led the local government to order an evacuation from low areas to safer grounds like the municipal hall and the Catholic church.
READ: Floods continue to affect Eastern Visayas areas; LGUs suspend classes, work
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/11/20/Floods-Eastern-Visayas-areas.html?
Authorites said 15 families were in evacuation areas.
Jipapad is has been inaccessible to motorists using the Arteche-Jipapad-Las Navas road due to flooding in Bito village in Arteche town. Motorists instead take the alternate road in Imelda village in Lapinig town in Northern Samar province.
Tacloban-based journalist Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this story.
