Ilocos Norte under state of calamity

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines — Local officials in Ilocos Norte led by Gov. Imee Marcos declared a state of calamity yesterday due to the damage brought by Typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut), which was estimated to reach P3 billion.

Marcos called on the National Housing Authority to provide a special fund for families whose houses were blown away during the onslaught of the typhoon.

“(Ompong) displaced thousands of families, smashing their homes and damaging their major source of livelihood – farming. We are asking materials for work and food for work,” Marcos said.

Most of the damage was in agriculture and infrastructure.

In La Union, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council initially reported a P200-million damage to rice plants.

Evaluation of damage in the 19 towns and San Fernando City is being conducted as of this report.

However, no casualty was reported in La Union.

Duterte hits COA

Meanwhile, President Duterte has assailed the regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA), saying they have not prevented corruption in government procurement. 

During a post-disaster meeting in Ilocos Norte last Sunday, Duterte was informed that COA has prohibited cash advances to buy building materials like GI sheets and gasoline. 

“Nothing for the gasoline, nothing for the roofing. They cannot be covered by cash advances and this occurred over the weekend which made things even more difficult,” Marcos told Duterte. 

“Who’s from COA here? Push him by the stairs so he cannot report,” Duterte said.

“Do not believe COA,” he said in Filipino, adding that he does not comply with COA circulars, which he described as “cock-eyed.” 

“That’s why it’s just a circular. Make it a law or a regulation but don’t give me that s*** of a circular,” he added. 

Duterte said while some government personnel went to jail over a circular, others went scot-free because of the same document.  – With Alexis Romero