President Marcos has approved the declaration of a national state of calamity following the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino, which struck large parts of the Visayas and Mimaropa and left a high number of casualties.

In an interview after a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters on Thursday, Nov. 6, the President said the measure will allow government agencies to access emergency funds faster and speed up the procurement of relief supplies.

“Because of the scope of problem areas that have been hit by Tino and will be hit by Uwan, there was a proposal from the NDRRMC— which I approved—we will declare a national calamity,” Marcos said.

“Ilan regions na iyan … almost 10 to 12 regions will be affected. So pagkaganong karami, ganoon ng scope, then it is a national calamity (That’s already several regions—almost 10 to 12 will be affected. With that kind of scope, it qualifies as a national calamity),” he added.

Marcos said the declaration would also “give us quicker access to some of the emergency funds” and expedite procurement so “we don’t have to go through the usual procedures.”

According to the President, Typhoon Tino caused extensive damage in Regions 6, 7, 8, and Mimaropa, reaching as far as the Negros Island Region.

He noted that national and local governments, along with first responders, have been conducting ongoing relief and rescue operations to assist displaced families and communities.

The President also expressed concern over the approaching Typhoon Uwan, which could bring stronger winds and affect northern Luzon, including Cagayan.

“Unfortunately meron tayong inaabangan na parating na may potensyal na maging mas malakas pa itong napangalanan na Uwan. So we are also preparing for that (Unfortunately, there’s another incoming storm named Uwan, which could be even stronger, so we are preparing for that),” he said.

He added that government resources in the Visayas might be partially redeployed to help prepare areas in northern Luzon ahead of Uwan’s expected landfall.

“Kailangan natin pag-isipan kung ilan doon, kung sino doon ang pwede nang dalhin para paghandaan na ang Uwan (We have to determine how many personnel can be redeployed to prepare for Uwan),” he said.

Marcos said the full extent of Tino’s impact is still being validated, including the number of casualties and displaced families.

He added that authorities are still finalizing the tally of evacuees, including those staying with relatives or friends instead of evacuation centers.

“Those are still being processed, but it is a significant number. We are continuing our relief support for those who were hit by Typhoon Tino,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Marcos assured the public that the government is focused not only on providing aid but also on anticipating the impact of the next storm.

“If we anticipate well and we prepare well, marami tayo nagagawa para mas mabawasan yung effect (we can do much to lessen the impact),” he said.

He added that relief operations will continue in affected areas even as preparations intensify for Uwan, which may bring winds as early as Sunday morning.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the reported death toll following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino has increased to 114, with 127 missing as of Thursday morning, Nov. 6.

​​Following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, the Office of the President (OP) has provided a total of P760 million in financial assistance to the affected local government units:

P50 million each for the provinces of Cebu, Capiz, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo, Bohol, and Negros Occidental; P40 million each for Eastern Samar, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, Antique, and Aklan;

P30 million each for Leyte and Masbate; P20 million each for Guimaras, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands; P10 million each for Biliran, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, and Palawan; and

P5 million to Albay, Romblon, Batangas, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Quezon, Samar, Agusan del Sur, Laguna, Zamboanga City, City of Manila (due to stranded passengers), Camiguin, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Iligan City.

President Marcos said the government is evaluating the deployment of personnel to cover ongoing rescue and relief operations in the Typhoon Tino-affected areas and prepare for the impact of Typhoon Uwan in Northern Luzon.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President had directed all government agencies to act swiftly in extending relief and assistance to affected areas.

“Lahat po ay inuutusan ng Pangulo – ang direktiba po ng Pangulo ay mabilisang aksiyon (The President has instructed everyone—his directive is fast action),” she said.

She added that first responders were already being deployed in areas likely to be affected by the next storm, noting that early preparation was key to minimizing the impact of disasters.

Castro said there was no immediate call for foreign assistance, as the Philippines still has sufficient funds to support relief and recovery.

“Mayroon pa po tayong pondo para sa ganitong mga klaseng sitwasyon … may mga quick response funds po ang mga frontline agencies na mari-replenish po (We still have funds for this kind of situation. Our frontline agencies have quick response funds that can be replenished),” she said.

She added that among the ASEAN Plus partners, Australia, Canada, and the United States have already expressed readiness to assist in recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, Castro confirmed that a nationwide price freeze on basic goods is expected once the official proclamation of a national state of calamity is issued.

“Patungkol po sa presyo ng mga basic commodities, pangkalahatan po ito (As for prices of basic commodities, the rule applies nationwide),” she said.

She noted, however, that the details would depend on the final declaration from the President.

Castro clarified that calamity loans would be made available depending on members’ qualifications.

“Hindi naman po lahat ay puwedeng makautang kung hindi naman sila qualified member (Not everyone can apply unless they are qualified members),” she said.

As for local government funding, she said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had assured Malacañang of sufficient resources.

“Ang sinabi lamang po ng DBM ay may sapat na pondo po, kahit naman po ang LGU ay mayroon po silang respective budgets for disaster and calamity (The DBM said there are sufficient funds, and LGUs also have their own budgets for disaster and calamity response),” she said.