President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the declaration of a state of national calamity following the widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Tino and in preparation for another incoming storm, Typhoon Uwan, which could strengthen into a super typhoon.
“Because of the scope of… areas that have been hit by Tino and will be hit by (Typhoon) ‘Uwan,’ there’s a proposal by the NDRRMC, which I approved, that we will declare a national calamity,” Marcos said during a situation briefing with the NDRRMC in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
He noted that around 10 to 12 regions were either already affected or expected to be impacted by the two storms.
The declaration will enable the government to speed up relief operations, mobilize resources, freeze prices of basic goods, and tap calamity funds for recovery efforts.
Typhoon Tino had ravaged parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, bringing torrential rain, flash floods, and deadly landslides that displaced thousands of residents.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that a new storm, Uwan, is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday or Saturday and may hit Cagayan and much of Luzon over the weekend at super typhoon intensity.
If confirmed, Uwan will be the 21st tropical cyclone to hit the country this year.