With resources almost 'exhausted,' Southern Leyte sees 'sustenance' problem despite donations

Southern Leyte may face problem on sustenance even though donors were providing assistance to the victims of Typhoon Odette, an officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Tuesday.

In a television interview, PDRRMO officer Danilo Atienza pointed out that the local resources of the province are already almost "exhausted."

“Ang medyo nakita natin na magiging problema in the future ay yung sustenance. Of course, ‘yung local resources ng probinsiya ay medyo exhausted na,” he told ANC.

(The possible problem that we are seeing is sustenance. Of course, the local resources of the province are already close to being exhausted)

Atienza acknowledged the assistance from local and international donors, but he said the province is looking into how to maintain the help being received by the affected residents.

Farming and fishery are the primary livelihood in the province. According to Atienza, 100% of agricultural products were destroyed and the fishing equipment were damaged by the typhoon.

Since the typhoon hit their area, Atienza said there is still no power supply and internet signal. Mobile communication and water supply are accessible only in some areas.

Many affected residents were still staying in evacuation centers, he said.

Due to the crowding of evacuees in these facilities, Atienza said the province is also preparing for possible health problems that may emerge.

According to him, over 100,000 residents were affected by the typhoon. —KBK, GMA News