By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a State of National Calamity as Filipinos reel from the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.
In a media statement after a situation briefing at the NDRRMC headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday, the President said that the imposition of a state of national calamity was due to the widespread destruction caused by Tino, which severely affected Visayas and parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
Marcos also noted the potential impact of another tropical cyclone that is forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by weekend as “Uwan”. It is also forecast to reach super typhoon category and batter northern and Central Luzon.
“Because of the scope of, shall we say, problem areas that [have] been hit by Tino and will be hit by Uwan, there was a proposal from the NDRRMC, which I approved, that we will declare a [state of] national calamity,” he said.
“That gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds, number one; secondly, mapapabilis ang ating procurement so that we won’t have to go to the usual bureaucratic procedures,” the Chief Executive added.
Meanwhile, Marcos assured of sustained relief and recovery efforts in affected provinces, particularly in Cebu—which already recorded 99 deaths according to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as of 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
“We are doing our usual relief and support activities para lahat ng na-displace, lahat ng naging biktima ay matutulungan ng pamahalaan together with [the] national government, together with the first responders, of course the LGUs,” he stressed.
He likewise underscored the importance of mobilizing all concerned assets ahead of the possible onslaught of Uwan.
“We are continuing our relief and support for those who are hit by Typhoon Tino but we are also doing everything that we can para ma-anticipate at makapaghanda tayo nang mabuti dito sa parating na Typhoon Uwan,” Marcos said.
“Dahil if we anticipate well and we prepared well, marami tayong nagagawa para medyo mas mabawasan ang effect.”
As of Thursday morning, the state weather bureau said both Typhoon Kalmaegi (formerly Tino) and Tropical Storm Fung-Wong (potential Uwan) are being monitored outside the PAR. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
-jpv
