READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine
Search and rescue operations in Zone 6, Libon, Albay, October 23, 2024. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Coast Guard District Bicol
SANTA MAGDALENA, Sorsogon — The town of Bulan in this province was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday due to severe flooding caused by continuous rains from Tropical Storm Kristine.
Vice Mayor Cheska Robles announced that the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) approved the declaration following a recommendation from the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office.
Several houses, businesses, and schools were submerged, including the Immaculate Conception Parish in Barangay Zone 3. Residents described the flooding as the worst to hit the town in a decade.
During a press conference, Sorsogon Governor Edwin Hamor said he would not declare a province-wide state of calamity, leaving the decision to mayors.
“The law requires us to be at least 70 percent prepared. From June to September, the province has been ready. Biddings were completed and funds were allocated. It’s now up to the local government units to declare a state of calamity as needed,” he explained.
The provincial social welfare office reported over 8,000 evacuees as Kristine continued to affect Sorsogon and the broader Bicol region.
GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan