The Province of Capiz has been officially placed under a state of calamity following the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the recommendation made by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) during its session on Monday afternoon.
The declaration came after Tropical Storm Ramil pounded Western Visayas over the weekend, unleashing torrential rains that caused massive flooding, infrastructure damage, and loss of lives across the province.
With the declaration, the provincial government is now authorized to mobilize calamity funds and expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts for affected communities.
According to the PDRRMO, several barangays in Roxas City, Pontevedra, Panit-an, Sigma, Pilar, and Ivisan remain severely affected by flooding and heavy damage.
Numerous roads and bridges have been rendered impassable, while hundreds of families were forced to evacuate to higher ground as floodwaters rapidly rose.
As water levels begin to subside, local authorities have started cleanup and damage assessment operations, focusing on homes, crops, and public infrastructure.
Rescue and relief teams continue to deliver food packs, potable water, and medical assistance to affected residents. Meanwhile, local government units are coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to assess damage and plan for the province’s recovery and rehabilitation.