Ormoc City placed under state of calamity due to Urduja

Ormoc City has been placed under state of calamity due to Tropical Storm Urduja, according to Mayor Richard Gomez.

The 14th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Ormoc approved Resolution No. 2017-354 on Saturday placing the City of Ormoc under a state of calamity which is upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

Aside from Ormoc City, Tacloban City has also been placed under a state of calamity.

Local government units declared in a state of calamity can impose a price freeze on all basic commodities in affected areas, and can ask for the quick release of funds for disaster response and relief efforts. 

As of 4:00 a.m. Sunday, Tropical Storm Urduja (International name Kai-Tak) was in the vicinity of Calbayog City, Samar, and was moving west at 13 kilometers per hour according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

Meanwhile, an incoming cyclone outside the Philippine area of responsibility may follow Urduja’s path,  PAGASA forecaster Aldzcar Aurelio said Sunday.

Aurelio said that the cyclone, which will be code named "Vinta" once inside PAR, maybe in by Tuesday or Wednesday, and may take Urduja's westward path. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/LBG, GMA News