‘State of calamity’ declared in Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur due to floods

Several areas in Sta. Lucia town in Ilocos Sur province were flooded due to heavy rains triggered by the enhanced southwest monsoon in the past weeks. (Photo courtesy of Sta. Lucia government)

LAOAG CITY— Persistent heavy rains and widespread flooding triggered by the enhanced southwest monsoon in the past weeks have forced the Sta. Lucia town government in Ilocos Sur province to declare a “state of calamity.”

Mayor Joseph Valdez said in a statement Tuesday, Aug. 10, that the incessant rains raised the water in irrigation canals and flooded some roads that led to the evacuation of several families.

At least P1.5 million had been set aside from the quick response fund (QRF) of the town to help affected residents recover from the calamity.

The hardest hit were six coastal and seven low-lying villages, Valdez said.

An initial assessment by the local government pegged the damage to infrastructure at P1.25 million.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the inclement weather also left about P5 million worth of damage to the agriculture sector.

Valdez said the local government would be coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways to solve the drainage problem along the national highway in the town, which was partly blamed for the severe flooding that affected some business establishments as well.

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