Bulacan declares state of calamity for COVID-19 hours after Duterte declared one for entire PH

CITY OF MALOLOS–A state of calamity has been declared in the province of Bulacan just hours after President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity nationwide as the COVID-19 threat continues to grow and send jittery officials grappling for containment measures.

The Bulacan state of calamity declaration on Wednesday yet would allow speedy release of funds for medical supplies and equipment that officials hope would be helpful in the fight against COVID-19.

Vice Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, the provincial board’s presiding officer, said he approved the board resolution to declare the state of calamity after the province recorded one death and five positive cases of COVID-19.

Alvarado said the calamity fund would also be used to provide incentives to frontline health workers and allot P17 million for basic health needs, personal protective equipment like surgical masks, alcohol and sanitizers.

The declaration was in response to the request of Gov. Daniel Fernando, chair of the provincial disaster and risk reduction and management council.

It wasn’t clear, though, what difference the provincial declaration of a state of calamity would make considering Duterte’s declaration of a national state of calamity.

Edited by TSB