The provincial government of La Union has declared a state of calamity due to extensive damage caused by the southwest monsoon, intensified by #CarinaPH.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that around 34,000 families across 316 barangays in La Union were affected by the typhoon. 

The heavy rains caused more than P80 million in damages to agriculture, while the livestock and poultry industries suffered losses amounting to approximately P1.6 million.

Three casualties were recorded in the municipalities of Bacnotan, Bauang, and Tubao. Two of the victims were swept away by raging waters at the river.

In response, with the declaration of the state of calamity, the provincial government will utilize five percent of its annual budget for relief operations and recovery efforts.

“One of the guidelines sa pag-declare ng State of Calamity ay na-meet ang criteria, kaya minarapat ni Governor Raffy at member ng Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council na mag-declare ng State of Calamity," Rowan Joshua Dimaculangan, the Provincial Information Officer of La Union, said.

The state of calamity declaration will enable the local government to expedite the provision of aid and recovery support to the communities affected.