Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Nov. 6, declared a state of national calamity to ramp up response efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino (international nme: Kalmaegi) and in anticipation of Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).
The president approved the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) during a situational briefing on Thursday.
“That gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds,” he told reporters.
“Mapapabilis ‘yung ating [It will hasten our] procurement so we don’ t have to go through the usual bureaucratic procedures and we can immediately provide assistance to the victims of the storms,” he added.
The number of deaths was pegged at 114, and the missing at 127. The typhoon has affected over 1.9 million people, mostly in the Visayas.
“Tino” left a trail of destruction, with Cebu badly hit as residential communities were leveled and infrastructure washed away by rushing floodwaters. Rescuers raced against time as floods that have yet to subside hampered recovery efforts, not to mention the residual relief operations from the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck in October.
In a news briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said as a “general rule,” the Department of Trade and Industry said the price freeze in basic commodities will be enforced nationwide. She added that details of the official proclamation have yet to be released.
Castro said the Office of the President has released P760 million in financial aid to affected provinces.
She said quick response funds are enough to support efforts of local government units and agencies.
“Pinag-utos ni Pangulong Marcos ang pagpapalabas ng P1.307-trillion program budget para sa fourth quarter ng taon. Layunin nitong matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga kababayang sinalanta ng mga sakuna para sa kanilang agarang pagbangon at makapagsimulang muli,” she said.
[Translation: President Marcos has ordered the release of the P1.307-trillion program budget for the fourth quarter, which aims to address the needs of Filipinos affected by calamities for their quick recovery.]
State of calamity ahead of super typhoon
While still recovering from the impact of “Tino,” the country is bracing for another life-threatening storm off northeastern Mindanao – the second cyclone to hit this month.
State weather bureau PAGASA said tropical storm “Uwan” may rapidly intensify into a super typhoon and hit northern or central Luzon on Monday.
Quoting the NDRRMC, Marcos said the back-to-back howlers could impact almost all regions nationwide.
While personnel and asset deployment will be prepared for “Uwan” in Luzon, Marcos said responders will not leave Cebu until “everything is in place.”
“We are continuing our relief support for those who were hit by Typhoon Tino, but we are also doing everything that we can para ma-anticipate at makapaghanda tayo nang mabuti dito naman sa paparating na Typhoon Uwan,” the president said.
[Translation: We are continuing our relief support for those who were hit by Typhoon Tino, but we are also doing everything that we can to anticipate and prepare well for the incoming Typhoon Uwan.]
In 2013, then-President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), among the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, that killed at least 6,300 people in the Visayas and left the island group severely devastated.
