Abalos recommends placing flood-hit Metro Manila under state of calamity

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. on Wednesday recommended to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. the declaration of state of calamity in Metro Manila amid the massive flooding.

"Because of what is happening, Mr. President, lalo na sa Metro Manila, ang rekomendasyon po namin po rito baka puwedeng mai-declare po natin ang state of calamity ang Metro Manila. 'Yun po ang napag-usapan namin kanina," Abalos said in a situation briefing with Marcos and other government officials on Typhoon Carina.

(Because of what is happening, Mr. President, especially in Metro Manila, we are recommending that Metro Manila be placed under state of calamity. That's what we had discussed earlier.)

The declaration of a state of calamity enables the local government to access emergency funds swiftly and implement relief operations to aid the displaced residents.

Large portions of Metro Manila and nearby provinces were flooded on Wednesday amid the heavy overnight rains brought by the southwest monsoon or Habagat that was enhanced by Typhoon Carina in the north.

LIST: Flooded areas in Metro Manila on Wednesday, July 24, 2024

In his report during the briefing, Abalos showed photos of flooding in cities in Metro Manila.

"Karamihan ng ating mga kalye may tubig na," Abalos said.
 
(Most of our thoroughfares are experiencing floods.)  

Abalos specifically mentioned to Marcos that 70% of Navotas City, 80% of Malabon City, and 60% of Valenzuela City are experiencing flooding.

"Ito po ay dahil 'yung kanilang flood control ay na-damage po na tinamaan ng isang ship. So it exacerbated tapos nagkaroon pa po tayo ng tubig ngayon," Abalos said.

(It was because their flood control was damaged by a ship. It exacerbated the situation.)

According to Abalos, the mayors of the said cities are "on top" of the situation and the evacuation of their residents is ongoing. 

After Abalos' report, Marcos acknowledged the situation in the National Capital Region. 

"Mabigat pa rin pala dito sa Metro Manila," Marcos said. 

(Seems like Metro Manila was really hit.)

Abalos, in response, the amount of rainfall has worsened the situation. 

"Ang masaklap po ang amount ng rainfall, Mr. President, napakalaki ng tubig," Abalos said. 

(What made it worse, Mr. President, is the amount of rainfall.)

In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA said Carina continued to intensify while moving towards Taiwan.  Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) No. 2 was raised over Batanes while TCWS No. 1 was raised over Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana, Gonzaga), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Burgos, Bangui, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Adams).

Work, classes suspended

Due to the inclement weather, Malacañang has suspended government work and classes in Metro Manila for the day.

"In view of the forecasted continuous rainfall brought about by the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Carina at 05:00 a.m. today, 24 July 2024, as recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council," according to an announcement from the Office of the Executive Secretary.

"However, those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services."

Many areas outside Metro Manila also suspended classes for Wednesday due to the weather.

Aside from work and class suspensions, several flights were also canceled.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), meanwhile, suspended the expanded number-coding scheme and allowed buses, regardless of route, to use EDSA for faster mobility due to the flooded areas in Metro Manila. —KBK, GMA Integrated News