By Alec Go
The province of Pampanga has been placed under a state of calamity due to the effects of Super Typhoon “Egay” and the southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Typhoon “Falcon”.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, through Resolution No. 8058, noted that the province began experiencing “prolonged bouts of heavy rainfall” since July 21 due to “Egay”.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda said calamity funds can now be accessed by municipalities.
“Mayroon na kayong (local governments) authority na gamitin ang funds ninyo, so by tomorrow mag-emergency purchase na lahat from barangay to municipal and the province,” he said.
“Ipa-[prioritize] ng barangay level kung sino talagang nangangailangan,” he added. “Lahat ng ibinagsak coming from the province, ang ipinapakiusap ko sa mga barangay captain natin is i-release po kaagad sa mga tao ang goods.”
To date, 232 barangays in 15 local government units have been flooded, affecting 144,340 families and 512,722 individuals including 6,057 individuals who were evacuated.
At least 3,770 farmers and fisherfolk were also affected, while the damage to the agricultural sector has been estimated at P315,234,225.63.
The state of calamity declaration is to “ensure the efficient and effective management of the damages incurred from the prolonged inclement weather.”
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, at least 25 individuals have been killed by the onslaught of “Egay” and habagat in the country as of July 31.
The damage to agriculture has also ballooned to over P1.54 billion.
Several provinces have also been placed under a state of calamity, including Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, and Cavite.
