Governor wants state of calamity declared in La Union

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega has called on the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to declare  a state of calamity in the province due to the damage brought by Storm Mario. 

In a letter to the SP, Ortega said a resolution should be approved at today’s session to allow the provincial and municipal governments to utilize their calamity funds. 

Vice Gov. Aureo Nisce said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that initial damage to agriculture is P60 million and more than P40 million in infrastructure. 

The PDRRMC said 6,919 families or 29,834 individuals in 124 barangays were affected while three deaths due to drowning were reported. 

At least 13 houses were damaged while 376 houses were destroyed.

The PDRRMC and concerned local government units released an initial P200,000 assistance to the affected residents. The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided P450, 000 worth of relief goods while the Philippine Red Cross – La Union chapter released P10,000.

Meanwhile, in Pampanga, authorities said damage to infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at over P600 million.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) also reported that floods affected 75,612 families or 357,813 persons in 251 barangays in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

Josefina Timoteo, RDRRMC head, said 38 barangays remained flooded in Pampanga and one in Bulacan. – With Ric Sapnu, Ding Cervantes