(Photo courtesy of Eastern Samar PMFC UNO)
No significant damage in EV as ‘Pepito’ passes
TACLOBAN CITY – Despite the initial threat of Super Typhoon ‘Pepito,’ the Eastern Visayas region was largely spared from significant damage.
However, over 39,000 families, totaling around 137,000 individuals, were temporarily displaced as part of precautionary evacuation efforts.
The 39,388 families, or 127,779 individuals, who evacuated as a safety measure began returning to their homes on Sunday, November 17, after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) lifted the storm warnings for the region.
The evacuations affected the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, and Biliran, while Southern Leyte remained unaffected.
Minor impacts, such as fallen trees, power outages, and intermittent internet connections, were reported, but no significant structural damage occurred in the region.
In Northern Samar, 22,539 families (81,505 individuals) were evacuated due to potential flooding and landslide risks, as reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Eastern Samar recorded 15,396 evacuated families, totaling 51,127 individuals, who have since returned home, according to the provincial information office.
In Catbalogan City, 761 families (2,869 individuals) left their temporary shelters by Saturday, November 16.
In Naval, Biliran, Mayor Gretchen Espina organized a large screen in the town gymnasium to broadcast the Miss Universe pageant before allowing 272 families (1,085 individuals) to return home also on Sunday.
Additionally, food packs were distributed to the evacuees.
The island town of Maripipi, Biliran, also saw 420 families (1,193 individuals) return home on Sunday.
Samar and Northern Samar provinces were placed under Storm Signal No. 3, where wind speeds ranged from 89 to 117 km/h, posing a serious threat to life and property.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region reported that it has over 101,000 food packs and 36,470 non-food items prepared for distribution to affected local government units.
Additionally, the DSWD has provided 15,300 food packs to the Bicol Region, which was more severely impacted by Pepito.
ROEL T. AMAZONA/JOEY A. GABIETA
