Leyte, Tacloban ready to help Samar Island

LEYTE, Philippines – It is the turn of Leyte and Tacloban, Ground Zero of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), to help neighboring Samar island after it was hit by Typhoon Ruby on Saturday night, December 6.

Rival politicians in Leyte shared the same concern for their fellow Warays across the typhoon-battered island.

Kun mahuman kita dayon hit clearing operations, depende hit effect hiton bagyo ha northern shores, we will immediately coordinate with Sec Roxas. (We’ll help as soon as we’re done with our clearing operations, depending on the effect of the typhoon on the northern shores. (READ: Ruby threatens towns near Leyte’s northern shores)

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas flew to Borongan, Eastern Samar Friday to coordinate the national government’s response to the typhoon.

Relief goods and logistical support for Samar provinces are most likely to pass through Leyte as Sorsogon is also expected to be hit by the typhoon.

Unlike the situation after Yolanda, the Sorsogon-Samar route is “not clear” for land and sea travel, Petilla said.

Petilla said Leyte can help in clearing and relief operations in Samar provinces. The provincial hospital has also been augmented, anticipating increase in post-typhoon medical needs from both islands.

One with Samar

The Romualdezes, the rival political clan of the Petillas, also committed support for the people of Samar.

“I and the entire Romualdez family, through the RTR (Remedios Trinidad Romualdez) Medical Foundation are fully committed to extending every assistance possible to our fellow Warays in around the Eastern Visayas region,” Leyte District 1 Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said.

Romualdez has assembled rescue and medical teams that are ready to be sent to Leyte and Samar as soon as weather permits. His chopper is already on standby in Cebu City to deploy prepositioned relief goods to affected areas.

“We are one with them and will be at their service at their time of need. We will all build back better together,” Romualdez added.

Tacloban and Leyte received overwhelming financial and logistical support from various countries and international organizations after Super Typhoon Yolanda.

“The world has been generous to Tacloban. We owe it to the people of Eastern Samar,” Tacloban Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin said. Yaokasin also said the city can provide additional relief packs to survivors across Leyte island.

According to Eastern Visayas Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director Blanche Gobenchiong, the Yolanda humanitarian community based in Leyte is also willing to extend help to Samar island. – Rappler.com