Quezon City declares state of calamity due to Kristine's impact

The Quezon City government has declared a state of calamity after the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Friday.

“We declared a state of calamity so we could use our quick response fund for immediate rehabilitation of affected infrastructure like retaining walls, and for swift clean up as we will need additional trucks and equipment to clear fallen trees and collect debris,” she told GMA News Online in a message.

“This state of calamity will also allow the barangays to use their [Quick Response Funds] to help constituents affected by floods,” she added.

Aside from Quezon City, the following areas also declared a state of calamity due to Kristine’s impact:

CALABARZON

• Cavite
• Quezon province
• Mulanay
• Tagkawayan
• Lucban

BICOL REGION

• Albay
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Sorsogon
• Donsol
• Matnog

EASTERN VISAYAS

• Samar
• Calbayog City

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said Kristine was last spotted 255 kilometers west northwest of Bacnotan, La Union or 255 kilometers west southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, moving west northwestward at 15 km per hour (kph).

The severe tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

According to PAGASA, Kristine is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday afternoon or evening.—AOL, GMA Integrated News