State of calamity in Calabarzon over Taal unrest ‘not late’ – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of Calabarzon as a state of calamity due to Taal Volcano’s eruption is “not late.”

“They can never be too late in a declaration with respect to calamities. May calamities, siyempre ang tagal niyan. It cannot be late,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

Duterte placed Calabarzon under the state of calamity last February 21, according to proclamation released to the media on 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.”

Panelo added he sees nothing wrong with the Philippine government being open to international aid for the victims of Taal Volcano’s eruption.

“Wala naman masama din humingi ng tulong, para mas lalong mahusay yung ating pagtulong sa nangangailangan,” Panelo said.

(There is nothing wrong about asking for help, especially if this will improve our assistance to those who need it.)

Thousands have been evacuated in Calabarzon after authorities declared an alert level 4 in Taal volcano in January, which means that an “explosive eruption” could happen in the coming hours or days.