CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has declared a state of calamity in the entire Cebu Province on Friday, December 17, 2021, due to the severity of the damage caused by Typhoon Odette.

Garcia issued Executive Order No. 48 on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021.

On December 16, 2021, Typhoon Odette made landfall in Cebu causing the immediate evacuation of thousands of Cebuanos from their homes to evacuation centers due to its severity.

Based on the initial assessment of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Typhoon Odette severely damaged homes, buildings, and other infrastructure while causing a province-wide blackout, water shortage, communications, and internet loss.

Garcia also mandated all department heads and administrative staff of the Provincial Government to report to work at 8 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

PDRRMO is still investigating and assessing the total damage in the province as of this posting.