President Marcos declares national state of calamity due to typhoon Tino
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a national state of calamity on Nov. 6 due to the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Tino and in preparation for an expected super typhoon.
Marcos made the announcement in a situation briefing with his Cabinet officials early morning.
“Because of the scope, shall we say, problem areas, that have been hit by Tino, and will be hit by Uwan, there was a proposal from the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), that we will declare a national calamity,” Marcos said.
“We are doing everything we can to anticipate and prepare for the coming Typhoon Uwan,” he added.
Marcos made the declaration to "hasten relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts across affected areas by allowing faster access to calamity funds, price controls on basic commodities, and streamlined deployment of national government assistance."
The death toll due to typhoon Tino has now reached at least 114, based on latest government data.
Over 2 million Filipinos have been affected by Tino's onslaught, according to the NDRRMC, submerging 115 areas, especially Cebu and the Visayas, and has resulted in about P6.3 million in damage to infrastructure.
'Once every 20 years'
State weather service meteorologist Benison Estareja told AFP the rains along Kalmaegi's path were 1.5 times the amount that would typically fall in Cebu for a full November, saying it was something that happened "once every 20 years."
The "highly urbanised" nature of the most-affected communities around Cebu City had made it even deadlier, he added.
In a radio interview, provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro called the situation "unprecedented."
Scientists warn that storms are becoming more powerful due to human-driven climate change. Warmer oceans allow typhoons to strengthen rapidly, and a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, meaning heavier rainfall. (with reports from AFP)
