MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday approved the declaration of a state of national calamity following widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) and in preparation for a possible super typhoon expected to hit next week.
“Because of the scope of problem areas that have been hit by Tino and will be hit by Typhoon Uwan, there’s a proposal by the NDRRMC which I approve — that we will declare a national calamity,” Marcos said during a situation briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The typhoon has affected nearly 10 regions across the Visayas and Mindanao, causing heavy rains, strong winds, massive floods, landslides, and displacing thousands of families. The death toll has reached 114, according to the latest government data.
The state of national calamity declaration is aimed at speeding up relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts, providing faster access to calamity funds, enforcing price controls on basic commodities, and allowing streamlined deployment of national government assistance.
Meanwhile, a tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is projected to make landfall in Cagayan and affect much of Luzon early next week. Once inside the PAR, it will be named Uwan, the 21st storm to enter the country this year, and has the potential to develop into a super typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
President Marcos assured the public that government response operations are in full swing in Visayas, while preparations are being made in Northern Luzon to mitigate Uwan’s impact. Teams from the national government, military, and police continue to deliver aid, restore power and communication lines, and clear debris from blocked roads.
The President acknowledged the challenge of balancing manpower and logistics between ongoing relief efforts in Visayas and preventive measures for Northern Luzon, emphasizing that no affected area will be left unattended.
Marcos said that validation of casualties, missing persons, and total damage is ongoing, and reiterated the government’s commitment to relief operations and preemptive measures to safeguard communities from further typhoon impacts.
