The Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday, July 24, placed Metro Manila under a State of Calamity due to heavy and torrential rains brought about by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Habagat that caused massive flooding in the National Capital Region (NCR).
MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora together with DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos
DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos made the declaration during an MMC meeting held at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) office. The meeting was also attended by MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora as well as other national and local government officials.
"There's a motion to declare Metro Manila in a State of Calamity by Mayor Francis Zamora and by Chairman Don (MMDA Chairman Romando Artes) secondly by Mayor Lani Cayetano. The motion is hereby approved that Metro Manila is in a State of Calamity," Abalos said.
"Nagdeclare na po tayo ng State of Calamity para sa kabuuan ng Metro Manila bunsod ng epekto ng bagyong Carina na hanggang ngayon ay nagdudulot ng pagbaha sa iba't ibang lugar sa Metro Manila at ganun din sa ibang rehiyon (We have declared a State of Calamity in the whole Metro Manila due to the effects of Typhoon Carina that is still causing widespread flooding in different area of Metro Manila and other regions)," Zamora said.
The DILG and the MMC had earlier raised the recommendation during a situation briefing with President Marcos and other government officials.
The declaration allows the affected local government units (LGUs) to gain access to additional funds for calamity response and imposes a price freeze on basic goods.
The President said he was leaving the decision to declare a State of Calamity to the local executives as they are the ones on the ground and have full awareness of the situation in their respective localities.
“It’s up to the local communities to decide because they know best, they know best what they need,” Marcos said.
“It is also 'yung pag-deklara ng State of Calamity, it's also to access funds para makapag-access na sila ng funds kasi nauubos na 'yung kanilang emergency na reserved, kukuha sila sa national. So, that's what we're working on now (The declaration of a State of Calamity allows them to access additional funds from national as their emergency funds are getting depleted or insufficient. So, that's what we're working on now)," the President added.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Typhoon Carina continues to intensify and may reach super typhoon status before making landfall in Taiwan.
The western portion of Luzon is expected to experience moderate to intense rains until Friday, July 26, cautioning the public against floods.