Camarines Sur under state of calamity due to floods

A state of calamity has been declared over Camarines Sur following the rains and massive floods brought by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng that wreaked havoc on the province.

The provincial government said that an assessment by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that the preliminary data collected met the “necessary threshold” to declare a state of calamity. 

“In consideration of this recommendation from the PDRRMC, as well as the overwhelming impact of ‘Enteng’ throughout the Province of Camarines Sur, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, issued Resolution No. 409, Series of 2024, declaring the entire province under a State of Calamity,” said Governor Luigi Villafuerte in a statement. 

“The declaration of a state of calamity is not only crucial but also necessary to enable authorities to implement measures that will stabilize the situation,” he added. 

The provincial government also said that 866,431 residents across 506 barangays, or 46.6% of the province’s population were affected.

The declaration of a state of calamity will facilitate the release of emergency funds and hasten the repairs and rehabilitation of the affected areas. 

Under the Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, “not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as the LDRRMF (Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund) to support disaster risk management activities.” 

Further, the law provides that 30% of the LDRRMF  shall be allocated as a Quick Response Fund (QRF) or stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that the national government has P65.6 billion in standby funds that could support relief efforts.  

According to the Office of Civil Defense, 15 people were reported dead due to the impact of the tropical cyclone.  

For its part, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 547,029 individuals in 695 barangays were affected by Enteng and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

Based on NDRRMC's latest situational report, most of the affected residents, or 288,110 of them were from Central Luzon. This was followed by the Bicol Region with 181,506 and the National Capital Region with 74,030.  

Enteng exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday morning. 

However, the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will also bring moderate to intense rainfall in other areas of Luzon over the next three days, PAGASA said.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News