Marcos declares national state of calamity for ‘Tino,’ ‘Uwan’

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Nov. 6, declared a national state of calamity to boost the country’s response in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) and the expected impact of incoming Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong).

Marcos 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,” the chief executive told reporters.

“Mapapabilis ‘yung ating [It will fast-track 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 latest death toll due to “Tino” has topped 114 while the missing was at 127. The typhoon has affected over 1.9 million Filipinos, mostly in the Visayas. 

“Tino” left behind a trail of destruction, with Cebu badly hit as many areas were submerged in floodwaters during the onslaught of the typhoon. It also compounded recovery efforts in the province, which was struck by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in October.

As the country reels from the impact of “Tino,” another life-threatening storm brews near northeastern Mindanao.

State weather bureau PAGASA has been warning of the incoming tropical storm “Uwan,” which was seen to intensify into a super typhoon and hit northern or central Luzon on Monday.

While the NDRRMC is looking at how many personnel will be deployed in Luzon, Marcos vowed 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 [Super] 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 Super Typhoon Uwan.]

Marcos said that according to NDRRMC, around 10 to 12 regions were seen to be affected by both “Tino” and “Uwan,” the second tropical cyclone that will hit the country in November.

In 2013, then-President Benigno Aquino III declared a national state of calamity in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), among the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, killing at least 6,300 in the Visayas and leaving the island group severely devastated.

Almost a decade later, then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity in several regions hit by Super Typhoon Odette (Rai), which killed more than 400 people, affected millions of families, and destroyed more than one million homes.