Surigao del Sur declares state of calamity due to Odette

The province of Surigao del Sur was placed under a state of calamity on Tuesday due to the destruction caused by Typhoon Odette.

The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution declaring the entire province under the state of calamity, according to the Philippine Information Agency's (PIA's) Surigao del Sur unit.

“The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have passed a resolution today, December 21, declaring the entire province of Surigao del under a state of calamity,” the PIA said in a Facebook post.

Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel earlier said he called for a special session in the provincial government to discuss the possible declaration of a state of calamity.

Over 45,000 families were affected by Odette. Some of them were staying in 1,090 evacuation centers.

Pimentel said one person was reported injured due to the typhoon in the province.

Meanwhile, a total of 156 deaths were reported, with 37 missing and 275  injured, due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday. — DVM, GMA News