Declaration of State of Calamity in Pangasinan will benefit LGUs
CAPITOL NEWS
The declaration of state of calamity covering the entire province is expected to provide the needed assistance of every local government unit (LGU) in Pangasinan especially those areas badly affected by Typhoon Lando.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. disclosed that the declaration, which was done through an emergency session as requested by Gov. Amado T, Espino, Jr. last October 20 at the PDRRMC conference hall, here, will enable the LGUs to access 30% of their calamity funds.
“This is now the umbrella declaration,” Calimlim said as he explained that there is no need for LGUs to individually declare their area under state of calamity.
Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. informs the members of the press during an emergency session last October 20 that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has placed the entire province of Pangasinan under the state of calamity due to the extent of damages wrought by Typhoon Lando. /DManaois
The Vice Governor stressed that the 30% part of the calamity funds will then be used by the LGUs to fund various projects like relief operations that will augment the needs of those affected and address whatever damages incurred during the onset of the calamity in their area while the 70%, he said, is intended for preventive measures.
It can be recalled that Typhoon Lando’s strength was felt in Pangasinan over the weekend which initially put the province under signal number 3 before it was lowered to signal number 1 after a day causing power outage in some parts of central and western areas, accompanied by flashfloods in the towns of Mangatarem, Aguilar, Bugallon, Mabini, Infanta and Labrador leaving more damages.
The flash floods were caused by cascading rainwater from the mountains surrounding the affected towns.
In the end, the provincial board commended the PDRRMC for doing a great job in times of calamities as he made an assurance that in the next sessions of the provincial board, disaster-related matters will be tackled so as to arm the council with more logistics that will enable them to be more responsive and effective in addressing more calamities in the future.
In terms of damages, the PDRRMC latest report (as of October 21) shows that more than P190 million worth of damages on roads and buildings while damage on agriculture is still under consolidation with partial affectation on high value commercial crops at over P18 million and more than P69 million on fisheries.
Damage on palay is still undergoing assessment, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg).
Typhoon Lando left 8 casualties, according to the latest report of the PDRRMC. /RRBernadino
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