Nearly 20 local government units (LGUs) have declared a state of calamity in their respective areas amid the effects of the El Niño phenomenon—and more are expected to follow suit, Task Force El Niño Spokesperson Joey Villarama revealed Friday.
These areas included Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Ifugao, Antique, and Zamboanga City, among others.
“May iba tayong naririnig na lalawigan na nagmamalubo o nag-iisip mag-declare ng state of calamity ngunit kailangan pasok sa kriterya dapat 15% ng populasyon ay apektado, 30% ng kabuhayan ay apektado at mga istrakturang dapat apektado,” said Villarama, who also serves as Presidential Communications Office assistant secretary.
Meanwhile, the Marcos administration has already extended financial assistance amounting to P1.1 billion pesos to farmers and their families, such as cash aid, food packs, and equipment.
“Hindi man ma-offset ang pinsalang 2.63 bilyong piso ng 1 bilyong tulong, ngunit kahit papaano, naibsan ang paghihirap ng mga mamamayan na apektado ng El Niño,” he added.
“Farmers ang apektado sa mga sakahan ngunit ang pamilya nila, in terms of individuals, ang apektado ay mga kalahating milyon, hindi lamang mga magsasaka, ang tulong ay para sa kanilang immediate family.” – Clay Pardilla, PTV News
