Lucena, Quezon Province map. INQUIRER FILES
LUCENA CITY — The Lucena City government declared a state of calamity on Monday, May 27, due to widespread destruction caused by Severe Tropical Storm Aghon (international name: Ewiniar), which hit the locality on Sunday.
The Public Information Office (PIO) announced this on Monday morning but did not provide other details.
Aghon pummelled Quezon province on Sunday and left many areas flooded and some houses submerged, particularly in this city.
READ: Typhoon Aghon: Live Updates
It also displaced 1,250 families composed of 5,607 individuals from several barangays in the city.
The evacuees are temporarily staying in schools, barangay halls, and evacuation centers.
The declaration of a state of calamity will enable local governments to use their calamity funds.
The move will also be a mechanism to control the prices of goods and commodities in the areas.
READ: ‘Aghon’ intensifies as gov’t rushes aid
Gov. Angelina Tan, in Memorandum Circular DHT-03 issued on Sunday, suspended classes at all school levels in the province, including Tayabas City and Lucena City.
She also ordered the suspension of work in government offices to give ample time for all affected residents to address the effects and damages caused by Aghon.
Work suspension in private companies was left to the discretion of the business owners, the order added. INQ