CITY OF MALOLOS — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has formally endorsed a declaration of a state of calamity for the towns of Calumpit, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Bocaue and Meycauayan City.
The endorsement awaits ratification by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board).
Retired Col. Manuel Lukban, PDRRMC chief, said Wednesday (July 23) the endorsement is due to the extensive damage caused by previous Severe Tropical Storm Crising, the current southwest monsoon (“habagat”) and now Tropical Storm Dante in the affected areas.
His report indicates agricultural damage has reached PHP56 million, with the livestock sector suffering PHP436,000 in losses.
“About 16,634 families have been evacuated to 56 evacuation centers in the province,” Lucban said.
So far, Lucban added, the major infrastructure damage is a severed bridge at the border of Doña Remedios Trinidad and San Miguel towns.
Meanwhile, Gov. Daniel R. Fernando stressed that the Bulacan Provincial Government will not declare a state of calamity for now until the towns and cities respond effectively.
On Monday, approximately 251 families in Bocaue and Balagtas affected by Crising and monsoon rains received food packs and emergency kits from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Bulacan provincial government during a relief distribution.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) head Rowena Tiongson said Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, along with Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Alex Castro, Balagtas Mayor Adrian Santiago and Vice Mayor Mikee Jane Gonda, led the relief distribution in Balagtas.
According to Tiongson, distributed items included family food packs from the DSWD and emergency kits from Governor Fernando containing blankets, mosquito nets, pillows and 5 kg. of rice.
Source: Philippine News Agency (PNA)
