SOUTHERN Leyte Second Congressional District Representative Christopherson "Coco" Yap has joined the call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a national state of calamity following the massive devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” on Friday, October 28, 2022.
“This representation joins the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in urging the President to declare a state of national calamity in order to immediately mitigate the impact brought about by Typhoon Paeng,” said Yap.
“Although our district was spared from major devastation comparable to what we experienced with Super Typhoon Odette, there are parts of the country that needs the national government's assistance in order to rise again from this natural calamity,” added the pro-administration lawmaker from Southern Leyte.
Yap led the monitoring and assistance of the affected local government units as Paeng caused floods and landslides in his district.
On Sunday, October 30, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Calbayog also held a special session to pass a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the entire Calbayog City due to the massive destructions and damages brought by Paeng.
In the information released by the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas, 13,812 individuals or 4,066 families have remained in 211 evacuation centers across the region.
Some 2,041 passengers, four ships, and 620 vehicles were also stranded in various seaports.
At least 25 areas have remained flooded, with 20 other areas without electricity.
The storm left four people dead and one injured in Eastern Visayas alone.
NDRRMC said Paeng killed 48 people and displaced nearly a million people across the country.
Another 40 individuals were injured, and 22 were still missing.
Most of the heavily affected areas were in Bangsamoro, Soccsksargen, Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Western Visayas regions.
“The NDRRMC respectfully recommends for the following: declare a national state of calamity due to the effects, damage and projected impacts by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng for a period of one year, unless earlier lifted; and to accept offers of international assistance based on needs,” said NDRRMC Executive Director Raymundo Ferrer in his recommendation to Marcos.
The declaration of a national state of calamity will allow the use of calamity funds to respond to the urgent needs of the storm victims. (SunStar Philippines)