MANILA, Philippines — Marikina City has been placed under a state of calamity on Friday following massive floods caused by Typhoon Ulysses.
“I have declared a state of calamity for the City of Marikina para magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang ating pamahalaan na epektibong makatugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan dito sa lungsod (to allow the city government to address the needs of residents),” Mayor Marcy Teodoro said in an interview on CNN Philippines’ The Source.
It will also allow residents to access services of government financial institutions like Pag-IBIG, Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, and the like for emergency and calamity loans, he added.
Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro. Image from Marikina PIO Facebook
The declaration of a state of calamity will allow the city government to tap its calamity funds to assist the affected residents and likewise provide a mechanism for price control on basic commodities, Teodoro said.
Massive flooding inundated parts of Marikina City after the Marikina River overflowed due to strong rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses Thursday morning.
A Marikina City rescue team (Contributed photo)
A resident wades through chest-high floodwaters in a Marikina City village on Thursday, Nov. 12 (Contributed photo)
Aside from physical restoration, Teodoro said he wants to focus on economic rehabilitation, considering that the country is also facing a pandemic.