MANILA -- Areas that were hit by Typhoon Odette are now under a State of Calamity after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1267, which declares a State of Calamity in Regions 4-B, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 13, said Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Karlo Nograles during a press briefing on December 22, 2021 in Davao City.
The Palace official said the declaration of a State of Calamity is meant to hasten rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and other entities that have expressed desire to provide assistance to Odette-affected areas, and to control the prices of goods in typhoon-hit localities.
“Before yung declaration of the State of Calamity, we have to have a full assessment of the extent of the damage done by the typhoon. … And then because nakakuha nga tayo ng fuller assessment of the extent of damage done by Typhoon Odette from various agencies and personal visits ni Pangulo sa mga provinces at mga localities, then with that fuller assessment of the damage, yun yung naging basis natin for the declaration of a State of Calamity,” said Secretary Nograles.
Aside from the declaration of a State of Calamity, the President has also ordered the release of funds to assist all those who were affected by Typhoon Odette, said Sec. Nograles. He added that the government will continue to source out funds to help all those who were affected by the typhoon.
“We all have to help each other. Hindi lamang ang government kundi lahat ng ating mga kababayan. Kami’y nagpapasalamat sa mga kababayan natin, private sector, the private companies, even ordinary Filipino individuals who, on their own, through their own initiatives, or through various efforts have really shown itong Bayanihan spirit to help each other and to help one another,” said Nograles.
The Palace official also thanked all those who have pledged to aid the affected areas and families like the Metro Manila mayors who approved a supplemental budget amounting to P100-million to extend assistance to Odette-affected areas.
“We are likewise grateful to our friends in the international community, partners and allies for their offers of assistance. These include Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the United Nations, and State of Qatar, among others. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo,” remarked Sec. Nograles.
The Cabinet official assured everyone that all that needs to be done is already being acted upon by the government and the President, personally.
“The President is doing personal visits, making personal assessments, making personal calls; he’s hands on in everything,” Nograles said.
“Government is on top of the situation. We’re doing everything in terms of budget, the necessary moves, the necessary actions, lahat po yan. And as I said, even the President is making his personal visits. As we speak, the President will be making his visits again to the Dinagat Islands and to Siargao to personally assess the situation and to personally lend a helping hand and to give his Presidential directives to the concerned government agencies,” said Nograles. (OPS)
