Roxas: Situation in Eastern Samar Post-Ruby Now Stable

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said at a press briefing Thursday said that based on its initial assessment, the situation in areas affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), particularly in Eastern Samar, is now “stable,” and the “emergency phase” is almost over, GMA News Online reported.

Roxa, who presided a meeting of the National Disaster Coordination Council in Camp Aguinaldo, said they consider the condition in the area as “stable.”

“Patapos na ito, stabilized na. Kumbaga sa pasyente, nasa ospital pa, pero wala na sa emergency room o sa ICU,” he added. “Sa kabuuan, in terms of emergency phase, patapos na ito, stabilized na,” Roxas said as he was quoted in the report.

Roxas added that while there are some work that is still needed to fix damage, they now consider the situation there as stable because major supply routes are open, and towns are accessible.

“Lifelines,” including power, telecommunication lines, and water, are also available, though agencies are still working on fixing some lines destroyed by Ruby.

He said that one of four pumps in Borongan is now working, supplying water to at least one-third of the town. Others rely on deep wells for the meantime.

Posts and lines toppled down by Ruby there will be put back in place in two to three weeks, with the substation working and just waiting for power supply, Roxas said.

Commerce is also open in the area, and prices of goods are stable there, he noted, adding that all gasoline stations in the area are open. “May supply ng krudo at gasolina.”

Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), made landfall in Eastern Samar last Saturday.

Source: GMA News Online