Roxas: Eastern Samar situation now stable

MANILA, Philippines - The situation in Eastern Samar has stabilized after being battered by typhoon 'Ruby' last weekend, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said.

Roxas, who stayed in the province for almost a week, said the situation in Eastern Samar is beginning to normalize.

"Likened to a patient, the emergency room and ICU period have passed, and we are now in the regular room," Roxas said on Thursday during a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) press briefing. 

As head of the National Government Frontline Team, Roxas was tasked by President Benigno Aquino III to assist local government units in their rescue and relief operations.

In his report, Roxas confirmed nine Ruby-related deaths in the province: one from the municipality of Jipapad, two from Dolores, two from Sulat, and four from Borongan City; and four persons were reported missing: one from Oras and three from Borongan.

He added that Eastern Samar is no longer isolated as the main supply routes have been opened, including the airport and seaports in Borongan. 

With no reports of looting, the supply and prices of fuel and other goods are stable, he added.  

He said that cellular communication is also now operational and relief goods are being distributed to all evacuation centers systematically.

"The situation in Masbate has also stabilized," Roxas said.

Roxas said that the government has begun transitioning from emergency response to relief operations, and is set to undertake early recovery efforts

Roxas submitted his report to NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama for appropriate action.