President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has placed the region of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), the Bicol Region, the Western Visayas, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under a state of calamity for six months following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Proclamation No. 84 by the authority of the President on November 2, 2022.
The President's proclamation directed concerned government departments and agencies to continue the implementation of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures in areas affected by "Paeng."
"All departments and other concerned government agencies are also directed to coordinate with the LGUs to provide or augment the basic services and facilities of affected areas," the proclamation read.
Based on the proclamation, Marcos may place other areas under a state of calamity if warranted, considering the continuing damage assessment in affected areas based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the conditions provided by law.
LOOK: Proclamation No. 84 placing Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and BARMM under a state of calamity for six months due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/Fu11jxlCzW
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) November 2, 2022
"Paeng"’s onslaught from October 26 to 29 resulted in deaths, property destruction, damage to agriculture and infrastructure, as well as disruption in the livelihood of thousands of people across multiple regions.
More than 1.4 million people from Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, the Western Visayas, and BARMM were adversely affected by the typhoon.
The NDRRMC, through a resolution, recommended to the President to declare a state of calamity covering those regions to hasten rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts by both the public and private sectors.
The declaration allows the government to effectively control the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and enables both the national and local governments to utilize their funds for rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation measures.
On Monday, President Marcos said a nationwide state of calamity was no longer necessary since the damage caused by the destructive typhoon was "highly localized."