President Aquino declared on Saturday a state of national calamity due to the damage brought about by Typhoon Pablo to hasten the rescue and relief operations in calamity-stricken areas.

In Proclamation 522 signed on December 7, Aquino cited the devastating rains, floods and flashfloods and landslides caused by Typhoon “Pablo” (international name: Bopha) which have brought death, destruction, and incalculable damage to the lives and properties of Filipinos in Provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte in Region XI; Surigao del Sur in CARAGA Region; Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City in Region X; Siquijor in Region VII; and, Palawan in Region IV-B. 

The declaration of a state of national calamity "will hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance. It will also effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas," Aquino said in the proclamation. 

The declaration also necessitates that the mechanisms for international humanitarian assistance are implemented.

Local government units are also given ample latitude to utilize their respective calamity funds for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of their constituents 

The President also ordered all departments and other concerned government agencies to implement and execute medical assistance, relief and rehabilitation work in accordance with existing operational plans and directives and orders issued in connection with the occurrence of calamities. 

Typhoon Pablo which hit southern Philippines Tuesday, Dec. 4 left more than 500 people dead and a hundred more missing, according to the latest count of the the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

THANKED WASHINGTON

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy today expressed its appreciation to the United States (US) for its prompt response in support of disaster relief efforts in typhoon-ravaged areas in Mindanao.

“Our people are grateful for the assistance extended by the United States to help us respond to the aftermath of Typhoon Pablo in the Southern Philippines,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said.

Ambassador Cuisia issued the statement after the US Embassy in Manila announced that Washington will be releasing $100,000 to the Catholic Relief Services to help victims of Typhoon Pablo.  

Reports said the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will be sending assessment teams to typhoon-affected areas to determine where the assistance is most needed.

“The United States has always been there to lend a helping hand to the Philippines whenever disaster strikes,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he noted that Washington has provided $11.7 million in humanitarian assistance and over $4.1 million in disaster risk reduction activities to Manila since 2007.

Individuals and organizations who would like to assist in the relief efforts can send their cash donations to the NDRRMC (www.ndrrmc.gov.ph); the Department of Social Welfare and Development (www.dswd.gov.ph); and the Philippine Red Cross (www.redcross.org.ph).*PIA/DFA