Marcos: Mayors will decide declaration of state calamity in NCR areas

The decision to declare a state of calamity in Metro Manila cities will rest upon its local chief executives because "they know best what they need," President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

In an ambush interview after a situation briefing on Typhoon Carina, Marcos explained that the national government will only come in if there are three regions that are affected by the calamity.

"No," Marcos said when asked if he is the one who will declare the state of calamity in Metro Manila.

"Usually, ang state of calamity is the LGU (local government unit) executive.'Pag regional, it's because nagkasabay-sabay. Pagka three regions ang involved then already the national has to come in. Thats a national calamity already wala na kaming choice don, pasok na ang national," he explained.

"But it's up to the local communities to decide because they know best. They know best what they need. 'Yung pagdeklara ng state of calamity, it is also to access funds para makapag-access din sila ng funds kasi nauubos na 'yung kanilang emergency na reserve eh kukuha sila sa national. So that's what we're working on now," the President added.

Marcos reiterated the LGU's prerogative when asked if the national government will not declare a state of calamity considering that the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon were already affected by flooding.

"Kaya nga nasa sa kanila 'yan. It is up to them. That's very much a local prerogative," Marcos emphasized.

During the situation briefing on Typhoon Carina, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. recommended the declaration of state of calamity in Metro Manila amid the massive flooding in NCR.

The Metro Manila Council will convene later today to decide on the matter.  

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.

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). — RSJ, GMA Integrated News