President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga – regions that suffered the wrath of Typhoon Odette. (FILE PHOTO)
METRO MANILA, PH — President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga – regions that suffered the wrath of Typhoon Rai (PH name: Odette).
In his weekly address aired Tuesday night, Duterte signed the declaration recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
A state of calamity would allow local governments to tap their respective calamity funds to help typhoon-hit communities.
Duterte said the declaration would also allow price controls on commodities in devastated areas, as well as hasten rescue and relief efforts.
The NDRRMC has so far tallied 156 deaths, 275 injured, and 37 missing persons. However, only nine fatalities and two injuries have been validated so far. The agency also counted 1,113,373 individuals who have been affected by the storm – including 417,186 currently staying in evacuation sites.
