Floodwaters submerge a school in in Baggao, Cagayan. (Photo courtesy of Anakpawis Cagayan)
MANILA, Philippines — The province of Cagayan was placed under a state of calamity on Saturday due to massive flooding due to Typhoon Ulysses.
The announcement was made on social media by the Cagayan Provincial Information Office.
“Sa Special Session ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ngayong Araw ng Sabado, Nobyembre-14, idineklarang nasa ilalim na State of Calamity dahil sa nararanasang pinakamalaki at pinakamalawak na baha sa kasaysayan ng probinsya,” the post read.
(In a special session of the provincial council this Saturday, Nov. 14, a state of calamity was declared because of the worst flooding the province’s history.)
Parts of Cagayan Valley, particularly the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela, were hit by massive floods due to heavy rainfall dumped by Typhoon Ulysses.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, during the Laging Handa press briefing, said that apart from Ulysses, flooding in the region was likewise triggered by the release of water fro Magat Dam and heavy siltation of waterways.
Nine flood-related deaths have so far been reported in Cagayan, Mamba said.
Similarly, Cagayan’s capital Tuguegarao City was also placed under a state of calamity, according to Mayor Jefferson Soriano.
“Nag-meet na po ang city council. Katabi ko si Vice Mayor Ano at tsaka opisyales namin. After po mag-meet ng council namin recommending for the declaration of state of calamity in Tuguegarao, na-approve na po ng council namin and ready to go na po kami,” he said in the same Laging Handa press briefing.
(Our city council had a meeting, I am with the vice mayor and other officials. After our meeting for recommending the declaration of a state of calamity, this was approved and ready to go.)
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