IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -- The Provincial Board on Tuesday approved a resolution declaring this province under state of calamity.
Ten of this province’s 16 towns were inundated by the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Vinta” that recently hit the country. The storm left five people dead.
Vice Governor Eldwin Alibutdan, presiding officer of the Provincial Board, said the resolution was approved in accordance with Local Government Code of 1991, which provides that all local government units (LGUs) shall ensure public safety and protect the general welfare of its constituents and provide basic social services they need.
The approved resolution allows Governor Wilter Palma to utilize the quick response fund (QRF) to augment the relief operation to the disaster-stricken municipalities in this province as recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
The LGUs, during state of calamity, may also enact a supplemental budget for supplies and materials or payment of services to prevent danger or loss of lives or properties.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported to Palma that 25,054 people were displaced by the onslaught of Vinta, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on December 22, 2017.
Palma said that a total of 6,474 houses were affected of which 124 were totally damaged. These were located in the municipalities of Kabasalan, Tungawan, Siay, Alicia, Imelda, Payao, Mabuhay, Olutanga, Talusan, and Diplahan.
He said the PDRRMO report showed that the town of Kabasalan had the highest number of affected families brought by the flood owing to the damaged Communal Irrigation System of the National Irrigation Administration in Barangay Banker. (PNA)