Nueva Vizcaya finally under state of calamity

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Over a month after typhoon “Emong” battered Cagayan Valley, the provincial board has finally declared a state of calamity.

The much-delayed calamity declaration would enable the provincial government to utilize its five-percent calamity fund for agricultural and infrastructure rehabilitation.

Emong left at least P200 million in infrastructure damage and crop losses, and four fatalities.

The typhoon badly hit Ambaguio, Bagabag, Villaverde and Solano towns, which all earlier had declared a state of calamity.

Ambaguio town, one of the region’s vegetable-producing areas, remains isolated due to severe landslides along its major roads. – Charlie Lagasca