BAGUIO CITY – Acting Mayor Edison Bilog during the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) meeting held Wednesday in this mountain resort said there is no need for the city to declare a state of calamity here.
This after the CDRRMC gave its report on the status of the city after the onslaught of Typhoon Lando in the summer capital.
The storm was centered about 130 kilometers Northwest of Laoag City carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph as of October 20, the city was struck strongest early Monday morning moving Northeast at 5 kph.
Malacanang announced the suspension of all classes for schools and work for government agencies in Manila and other affected areas except for health and emergency response.
Acting Mayor Edsion Bilog also announced the suspension of classes on all levels and work Monday.
As per guidelines from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) of the Department of National Defense, either the President or the Chief Executive of a Local Government Unit (LGU) may declare an area under a state of calamity for the purpose of utilizing the five percent reserve fund for emergency operations.
As per reports from the CDRRMC, the city did not meet the conditions set to declare the city under a state of calamity.
Two or more of the following conditions should be met before a province or city may be declared under a state of calamity.
1. At least 20% of the population are affected and in need of emergency assistance or those dwelling units have been destroyed.
2. A great number or at least 40% of the means of livelihood such as bancas, fishing boats, vehicles and the like are destroyed.
3. Major roads and bridges are destroyed and impassable for at least a week, thus disrupting the flow of transport and commerce.
4. Widespread destruction of fishponds, crops, poultry and livestock, and other agricultural products.
5. Disruption of lifelines such as electricity, potable water system, transport system, communication system and other related systems which cannot be restored within one week, except for highly urbanized areas where restoration of the above lifelines cannot be made within 24 hours.
As per evaluation by the CDRRMC, only condition 5 was present during the typhoon which is not sufficient to declare the city under a state of calamity.
Typhoon Lando’s estimated damage in the summer capital is 5 million more or less leaving two people dead, 7 hurt and 483 families in need of assistance./Paul Rillorta
