By Azer Parrocha | Philippine News Agency
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has submitted its recommendation to declare a national state of calamity to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. after Severe Tropical Storm Paeng battered different parts of the country and left casualties and damage to properties and infrastructures.
Paeng was downgraded to tropical storm status on Sunday, although Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remained hoisted over parts of Luzon as of posting.
Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., NDRRMC Chair and Department of Defense Officer-in-Charge, said they have complied with the President’s directive to submit a resolution.
“Ito po ay amin ng ginawa at papunta na po ang aming communication recommending a declaration of a national state of calamity is now on its way to the President,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Sunday.
Details of the resolution have yet to be released but Faustino recommended a year-long state of calamity during a full council meeting on Saturday.
Faustino joined an aerial survey in Region 4-A (Calabarzon), particularly Cavite, on Sunday and observed that floodwaters in most areas have subsided.
He was accompanied by Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo, Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.
“Kami ay umikot dito sa Calabarzon area, lalong lalo na dito sa parte ng Cavite kung saan maraming humingi ng tulong kagabi,” Faustino said.
Lagdameo said they will be visiting Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the afternoon to provide water purifier and other assistance to residents.
“Medyo malaki ang problema sa BARMM. Maraming natamaan sa landslide. ‘Yung baha nag-i-improve na pero may mga problema pa rin,” he said.
Faustino said they will also visit the Visayas.
Paeng has so far affected 277,383 families or 932,077 individuals in 2,455 villages in 14 regions, according to the latest NDRRMC update.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s latest forecast track said Paeng may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday afternoon. – gb
