Eastern Samar lone district Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has reported widespread damage in certain parts of the province as a result of Typhoon "Tino's" onslaught in the country’s central islands.

“In Homonhon and Suluan, around 30 percent of homes were totally damaged, while the remaining 70 percent sustained partial damage from strong winds and heavy rains,” Gonzales said in a statement Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 4.

He said most of the houses on the two islands were made of light materials. The majority of the more than 7,000 residents of Homonhon and Suluan are fisherfolk and coconut farmers.

Both islands form part of the Municipality of Guiuan, and are located off the southeastern coast of Eastern Samar, facing the Pacific Ocean.

Homonhon in particular holds historical importance as the landing site of Portoguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Gonzales said he and his father-in-law, House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan are mobilizing relief operations to assist families affected by Tino. Many residents of the geographically isolated communities in two islands are now staying in temporary shelters.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has initially made available more than 20,000 food packs for distribution by local governments to affected households, according to Gonzales.

“We are working closely with the provincial and municipal governments as well as national agencies. We are mobilizing supplies of food, drinking water, and hygiene kits to ensure that the immediate needs of our people are met, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” he said.

“In the coming days, our focus will be not only on the continuous delivery of food and potable water, but also on helping families build temporary shelters and begin repairing their homes,” added the neophyte congressman.

“Our goal is to help families return to safe and stable living conditions as soon as possible, while awaiting long-term reconstruction and recovery assistance,” noted Gonzales.