By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Monday, Oct. 31, declaring a national State of Calamity is “not necessary” since the damage of Severe Tropical Storm “is highly localized.”
“I don’t think it’s necessary,” the President said when asked if he would approve the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a national state of calamity for one year.
“I came to that conclusion with the — in consultation with the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources]. Sabi hindi naman kasi extensive — very, very… Not naman isolated — highly localized ang mga damage,” he added.
Hard-hit areas include Quezon, Cavite, and Maguindanao, the Chief Executive said, noting, however, that in the Visayas, there’s no need for a declaration of State of Calamity.
Although the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions were affected, a national calamity declaration is also not necessary, he added.
“I think we will focus better if we stay with the calamity status that as we have now.”
