Cebu City declares state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines — Heavy rainfall and flooding in the past few days have prompted disaster officials in Cebu City to declare a state of calamity to effectively assist residents displaced by the bad weather.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting yesterday of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which was presided over by CDRRMC chairman Dave Tumulak and attended by Mayor Nestor Archival Sr.

The meeting was called following Wednesday’s heavy downpour that stranded commuters, snarled traffic and prompted officials to suspend classes.

Oscar Tabada, the city’s in-house meteorologist, forecast that Cebu City may experience steady light to moderate rainfall over the next two days.

Archival said that based on the assessment of the CDRRMC, there is a need to place the city under a state of calamity in anticipation of more rainfall in the coming months.

The declaration will still have to go through deliberations and approval by the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

As of yesterday, strong winds and big waves continued to batter the city’s coastal barangays, washing out garbage into the sea through the Guadalupe River, and leaving debris along the shores, particularly between the villages of Pasil and Ermita.

The declaration of a state of calamity empowers local government units to tap their calamity funds and quickly procure commodities needed by residents affected by the bad weather.

The fund can also be used in procuring equipment needed to address flooding, such as for desilting of rivers, which may require a larger budget. — THE FREEMAN