TACLOBAN CITY – Works in all government and private offices remained suspended Friday after typhoon “Ambo” battered Northern Samar province.
Ambo made two landfalls at 10:15 p.m. Thursday on San Antonio (Dalupiri Island) and on Capul Island at 10:30 p.m.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan said excluded from work suspension are the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Provincial General Services Office (PGSO), Public Information Office (PIO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and government hospitals.
He also requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-North Samar), National Food Authority (NFA), and all uniformed personnel to assist in the distribution of relief goods to at least 2,700 families or 10,700 individuals displaced by the typhoon.
As of Friday morning, families have started returning to their homes as advised by the PDRRMO.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st and 2nd Engineering Districts have already started road clearing while the provincial government assessed the extent of damage in the province.
Some major roads are not passable due to toppled trees and electric posts.
The national highway in Brgy. Zone 3, San Roque remained flooded and not passable to vehicles as of Friday.
Partial damages on infrastructures were reported in the municipalities of Bobong, Laoang, Lope de Vega, and Mondragon while a landslide was also recorded in Catubig town.
At least 232 persons and 110 vehicles were reportedly stranded at Allen, Northern Samar Port.
Northern Samar Police reported 350 houses damaged in Lope de Vega and Laoang.
The province still has no electricity while communication lines are intermittent. (Marie Tonette Marticio)
