Duterte places WV under state of calamity

ILOILO City – President Rodrigo Duterte placed Western Visayas and five other typhoon-hit regions in the country under a state of calamity.

“The declaration of a state of calamity will hasten the rescue and relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector including kung saan galing tulong, be it outside or tayo-tayo lang,” Duterte said.

Aside from Western Visayas, also placed under a state of calamity are Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region VII (Central Visayas Region), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas Region), Region X (Northern Mindanao), and Region XIII (CARAGA).

“This will also be an effective mechanism to control the prices of goods and commodities in the areas,” said Duterte.

The President signed Proclamation No. 1267 late Tuesday night upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). A copy of the proclamation was released on Wednesday.

It directs all departments and other concerned government agencies to implement and execute rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation work in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives.

They are also directed to coordinate with, and provide or augment the basic services and facilities of affected LGUs.

In Region 6, the consolidated indicative number of affected population in need of emergency assistance has reach 416,988 individuals.

The island province of Guimaras declared a state of calamity on Sunday (Dec. 19). Negros Occidental and Iloilo City made similar declarations, too.

The other typhoon-hit regions have the following affected population: Region IVB – 18,856 individuals; Region VII – 80,694 individuals; Region VIII – 244,741 individuals; Region X – 22,463 individuals; and Region XIII – 217,080 individuals.

Law enforcement agencies, with the support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are directed to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in the affected areas, as may be necessary.

Under the proclamation, state of calamity shall remain in force and effect for one year unless sooner lifted in accordance with law.

Super typhoon “Odette” caused widespread devastation to houses, infrastructure, properties, and agriculture, and resulted in the disruption of critical lifelines of people in areas affected.

As of Tuesday morning, the NDRRMC reported a casualty toll of 156, with 37 missing and 275 injured.

The damage to infrastructure was initially estimated at close to P449 million, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.

Duterte said funds from his office will be downloaded to typhoon-hit areas by Friday to support relief efforts.

“I said give me until or before – it’s before or until Friday. Puwede na? Oo. Mga Friday na ang kuwan…I assure you that it will be given this week, at the very least — ‘yung pinakamabilis na paraan,” he said.

The President reiterated his appeal for victims of the typhoon to wait as the government continues to provide them with necessary aid as soon as possible.

“It’s already there. The money is ready but we need the papers to be signed,” he explained.

Duterte previously visited Maasin, Leyte; Inabanga, Bohol; Argao, Cebu; and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental to personally distribute relief assistance to those displaced by the typhoon. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN

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