Eastern Samar Lone District Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Representative Nonoy Libanan are mobilizing relief operations to assist families affected by Typhoon Tino, particularly in geographically isolated communities such as the islands of Homonhon and Suluan, where many residents lost their homes and are now staying in temporary shelters.
“In Homonhon and Suluan, around 30 percent of homes were totally damaged, while the remaining 70 percent sustained partial damage from strong winds and heavy rains,” Gonzales said, noting that most of the houses on the two islands are made of light materials.
Tino made landfall on both islands shortly after midnight on November 4.
“We are mobilizing supplies of food, drinking water, and hygiene kits to ensure that the immediate needs of our people are met, especially in hard-to-reach areas.”
“We are working closely with the provincial and municipal governments as well as national agencies. We are mobilizing supplies of food, drinking water, and hygiene kits to ensure that the immediate needs of our people are met, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” the legislator said.
The majority of the more than 7,000 residents of Homonhon and Suluan are fisherfolk and coconut farmers.
Both islands form part of the Municipality of Guiuan, and are located off the southeastern coast of Eastern Samar, facing the Pacific Ocean.
Homonhon in particular holds historical importance as the landing site of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has initially made available more than 20,000 food packs for distribution by local governments to affected households, according to Gonzales.
“Our focus will be not only on the continuous delivery of food and potable water, but also on helping families build temporary shelters and begin repairing their homes.”
“In the coming days, our focus will be not only on the continuous delivery of food and potable water, but also on helping families build temporary shelters and begin repairing their homes,” the lawmaker added.
“Our goal is to help families return to safe and stable living conditions as soon as possible, while awaiting long-term reconstruction and recovery assistance,” he stressed.
