By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental is set to receive P50 million in financial assistance from Malacañang following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s declaration of a state of national calamity on Thursday, November 6, in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon “Tino.”
In a statement from the Presidential Communications Office, Negros Oriental will also receive P30 million in aid as part of the government’s continuing relief and rehabilitation efforts across affected provinces.
President Marcos said the declaration will expedite rescue, recovery and relief operations in disaster-stricken areas and allow both government and private sectors to mobilize assistance more efficiently.
“That gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds. Secondly, mapapabilis ang ating procurement so that we don’t have to go through the usual bureaucratic procedures, and we can immediately provide assistance to the victims,” Marcos said.
The President added that the declaration will also facilitate the use of calamity funds and hasten the procurement of essential supplies and services needed for the ongoing recovery efforts.
Marcos further noted that the government is evaluating the deployment of additional personnel to reinforce ongoing rescue and relief operations in areas hit by “Tino,” while also preparing for the possible impact of Typhoon “Uwan” in Northern Luzon.
“Because of the scope of, shall we say, problem areas that have been hit by ‘Tino’ and will be hit by ‘Uwan,’ there was a proposal from the [National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council], which I approved, that we will declare a national calamity because ilang regions na ‘yan,” the President added.
The declaration of a national calamity enables the government to release quick-response funds, control prices of basic goods, and ensure immediate rehabilitation of affected communities.
Negros Occidental, one of the hardest-hit provinces in the Visayas, has been under a state of calamity since Thursday, following widespread flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage reported across multiple cities and municipalities./CJ, WDJ