CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — The province of Bulacan was placed under a state of calamity in the aftermath of the massive flooding caused by weather disturbances and southwest monsoon rains.
Bulacan’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board), through the initiative of Board Members Felix Ople and Therese Cheryll Ople, on Wednesday passed the resolution for the declaration, citing the damaging effects of flood in the province’s agriculture, livelihood and infrastructure.
The declaration was signed upon the request of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), headed by its chairman, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado.
Alvarado said the declaration would help them address the situation through the immediate release of funds needed for relief operation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and rescue measures.
Based on PDRRMC Resolution No. 1 series of 2018, cities and towns in the province suffered heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Henry last July 15-24; Tropical Storm Inday last July 17-24; and Tropical Depression Josie last July 20-23, all of which enhanced the southwest monsoon.
The situation in the province worsened following the continuous heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon that was enhanced by Tropical Storm Karding and the high tide on August 11-13.
Based on the damage assessment report of members and representatives of the council and other partner agencies from different government and private sectors, some 124,986 families, or 624,930 individuals, have been affected by the weather disturbance. A total of 1,678 families were temporarily sheltered in 32 evacuation centers in the province.
In terms of infrastructure, damage to primary and secondary roads in the province was estimated at PHP46 million.
Some 1,567 hectares of farmland and 1,901 hectares of fish pond were also damaged and the figures are seen to increase in the coming days due to the continuous rains.
Likewise, 100 cooperatives and 70 small and medium enterprises from Bocaue, Marilao, Balagtas, and City of Meycauayan were affected by the calamity.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office-Public Health distributed 46,500 capsules of Doxycycline and ointment for leptospirosis in the cities of Malolos and Meycauayan as well as in the towns of Bocaue, Bulakan, Bustos, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, Plaridel, Pandi, San Rafael, Pulilan, Marilao, and Obando.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also continued distributing relief goods.
Alvarado said the PDRRMC has intensified its massive damage assessment and needs analysis (DANA) for rehabilitation.
A state of calamity has also been declared in Meycauayan City and in the towns of Hagonoy, Paombong, Marilao, and Calumpit.
The governor reminded Bulakenyos to protect themselves against diseases common during the rainy season, such as dengue and leptospirosis. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
