Duterte places Calabarzon under state of calamity due to Taal’s unrest

HARVEST IN PERIL A recent aerial inspection done by authorities over Taal Lake shows the damage left by the volcanic ashfall on the fish cages. —CLIFFORD NUÑEZ

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of calamity in Region 4A (Calabarzon) after several weeks of unrest of Taal Volcano.

Duterte signed Proclamation 906 February 21 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC). The copy of the proclamation was released to the media Thursday.

The proclamation stated that “the declaration of a State of Calamity will hasten rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector; including any international humanitarian assistance, and will effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas.”

“All departments and other concerned government agencies are hereby directed to implement and execute rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation work in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives,” Duterte said in his proclamation.

The President also ordered all departments and concerned agencies to coordinate with and provide or augment the basic services and facilities of affected local government units.

Law enforcement agencies were also ordered to undertake measures to ensure peace and order in the affected areas.

Taal Volcano spewed steam, ash and small rocks last January 12, displacing thousands of families from their homes.

Edited of EDV