Eastern Visayas, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has dispatched a 40-member contingent to assist Northern and Eastern Samar provinces, severely affected by floods due to shear line and a low-pressure area.
According to Philippines News Agency, the deployed team consists of members from the Public Safety Division and Road Emergency Group. Split into two groups, they are tasked with carrying out humanitarian and relief operations for the flood-affected residents. MMDA acting chair Don Artes emphasized that each group is equipped with 30 units of solar-powered water purification systems capable of filtering 180 gallons of water per hour. This deployment aligns with President Marcos's directive to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected regions. Both teams will remain in the provinces as long as necessary to address the needs and concerns in the area. Northern Samar and Eastern Samar provincial councils have declared a state of calamity in response to the heavy rains and landslides.