Gov’t hastens aid to typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines - With many parts of Mindanao still reeling from the devastation wrought by super typhoon “Pablo,” President Aquino has declared a state of national calamity to hasten relief and rebuilding efforts.

The President issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 522 signed Friday night after his visit to areas worst hit by the typhoon, including New Bataan, Compostela Valley and Boston, Davao Oriental.

“The declaration of a state of national calamity will hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and will effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas,” Aquino said in the proclamation.

Price controls are now in effect in Mindanao.

Pablo killed more than 450 people and left more than 500 missing. Most of the casualties either died of drowning in flashfloods or were buried in landslides.

Also severely hit by the super typhoon were Davao del Norte in Region 11; Surigao del Sur in CARAGA Region; Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City in Region 10; Siquijor in Region 7; and Palawan in Region 4-B.

“The government is spearheading the entire nation’s efforts to undertake immediate rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation,” the proclamation read.

“This declaration also necessitates that the mechanisms for international humanitarian assistance are implemented pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the ‘Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,’” the proclamation stated.

With the declaration, local governments will have “ample latitude to utilize their respective calamity funds for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of their constituents.”

Under a state of national calamity, all departments and other concerned government agencies are directed to implement and execute medical assistance as well as relief and rehabilitation work in accordance with existing operational plans and directives and orders.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB that a 60-day price freeze is in effect in devastated areas as authorized under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act and also under RA 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Covered under the price control are basic necessities like rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles, and drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health.

Government financial institutions under RA 10121 may also grant no-interest loans through cooperatives or through people’s organizations.

Valte also said the DOH is taking measures to prevent the spread of diseases in evacuation areas.