Flood-hit Cagayan to declare state of calamity —governor

Amid Typhoon Tisoy's devastation, authorities in Cagayan in northern Philippines will place the whole province in a "state of calamity" to help residents in affected communities, Governor Manuel Mamba said Friday.

"Kailangan namin ng maraming tulong sa agriculture at sa infra po. That's why we're going to declare today, through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a state of calamity dito sa buong probinsya ng Cagayan," Mamba said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Flood has not subsided yet in several parts of the province, he added, noting that rains just stopped on Thursday night.

Likewise, he said the water level near the Buntun Bridge rose four times high, and reached a critical level of 12.4 meters—inundating areas near the Cagayan River.

Some 10,000 to 15,000 families have been affected.

As of Friday, the tail-end of a cold front is affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon, according to PAGASA.

"Kung magpapatuloy ang ulan dyan sa Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, lahat po ng tubig dyan pati sa Kalinga and Apayao dito ho lahat dadaan sa amin," Mamba said.

Classes and work, except for those involved in relief and rescue operations, are suspended in the province on Friday, he added. —Dona Magsino/LBG, GMA News