Duterte declares state of calamity over Odette-stricken areas

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday declared a state of calamity over regions hit by Typhoon Odette last week.

During his Talk to the People, Duterte said these areas include  Regions 4B, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 13.

"I have decided to declare a state of calamity. I will sign it now," said Duterte.

The Chief Executive also said the declaration would hasten relief and rehabilitation efforts in these calamity-stricken areas.

Earlier, Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda called on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to recommend to the president the declaration of state of calamity in regions devastated by Typhoon Odette in Visayas and Mindanao.

Salceda said that under the National Disaster Risk Reduction Act or Republic Act No. 10121, the NDRRMC should recommend a declaration of state of calamity by the President.

A declaration will activate measures such as price controls, reprogramming of funds for repair of infrastructure and the granting of no-interest loans by the government financial institutions, he said.

Salceda noted at least P6.5 billion are still available as fund balances from the NDRRM Fund and the President’s contingent funds, based on latest budget reports.

“There is also the Presidential Social Fund, which is off-budget, and which the President can also immediately mobilize. That comes from PAGCOR, which remitted some P2 billion this year to the Social Fund,” he added.

As of noon of December 21, NDRRMC said at least 156 were reported dead, 37 were missing and 275 were injured due to Odette's heavy rains and strong winds.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal noted that they are coordinating with the Philippine National Police to verify the organization's tally of 375 deaths.—LDF, GMA News