State of calamity declared in BARMM, 3 other regions for 6 months

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed a proclamation placing the regions of Calabarzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas, as well as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under a state of calamity for six months.

Marcos on Wednesday inked Proclamation 84, placing the four regions under a state of calamity in the aftermath of the former Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

In accordance with the proclamation, the state of calamity shall remain in force and effect for six months, “unless earlier lifted by the President.”

He followed the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a state of calamity after Paeng “caused the loss of lives, destruction of property, damage to agriculture and critical infrastructures, and disruption of means of livelihood and normal way of life of the populations in the affected areas.”

“More than 1.4 million of the populations in Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were adversely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng,” Marcos said in the proclamation.

“Now, therefore, I, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare a State of Calamity in Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) because of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.”

The Proclamation 84 stipulates the declaration of a state of calamity would allow the government, including the private sector, to “hasten the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.”

It read that putting the affected regions under a state of calamity will also help “effectively control” the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

The national government and local government units (LGUs) would be given “ample latitude” to use appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts, according to the proclamation.

Based on the law, Proclamation 84 will also ensure the “continuous” provision of basic services to the affected populations.

“All government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities concerned are hereby directed to continue implementing and executing rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation measures in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives,” the proclamation stated.

“All departments and other concerned government agencies are also directed to coordinate with the LGUs to provide or augment the basic services and facilities of affected areas. Law enforcement agencies, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are directed to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas.”

The proclamation authorizes the President to include more areas in the declaration of a state of calamity “if warranted,” taking into account the ongoing damage assessment in affected areas and based on the recommendation of the NDRRMC, and the parameters set forth by law and executive orders.

On the official website of the Official Gazette, a copy of the proclamation was posted.