ILOILO CITY – A state of calamity has finally been declared in Capiz province after almost a week of widespread flooding caused by rains from tropical depression Agaton paralyzed the area.

The declaration followed after the Capiz Provincial Board finally approved the request of the Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Capiz PDRRMC), which is chaired by Governor Esteban Evan Contreras II.

“Sadly, even a calamity is being politicized,” Contreras told Manila Bulletin in a phone interview on Wednesday, April 20.

The governor expressed dismay at the decision of the Capiz Provincial Board, whose members are mostly from the opposition party.

Based on the resolution of the provincial board, the Capiz provincial government can only use P10 million for food packs and it must be distributed by the Philippine Red Cross, a private humanitarian organization.

The Contreras administration is seeking the opinion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as to what can be done.

Contreras pointed out that a declaration of a state of calamity is meant to expedite releasing of funds for post-disaster response, but the legislative body is making things difficult.

“This is unprecedented. Even President Duterte and the national government officials came to Capiz to check the damages and extend help while the members of the Provincial Board could not convene an emergency session because they said it’s Holy Week,” Contreras said.

Agaton’s flooding was recorded in all 17 localities including Roxas City, the provincial capital.

Based on data, around 488,603 individuals in 365 barangays (villages) were displaced by the flood. A total of 19 people were also killed.

The flooding also caused more than P181 million damages in the agriculture sector.

The physical damage to roads was estimated at P39.6 million and bridges at P20 million.