Quezon town under state of calamity due to storm damage

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

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LUCENA CITY — The local government of Tagkawayan town in Quezon province declared a state of calamity on Wednesday afternoon due to the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Kristine.

The announcement was made by the municipal Public Information Office (PIO) through a post on its Facebook page.

“The calamity has significantly impacted the town’s main livelihoods, particularly rice farming and fishing,” the PIO stated.

It estimated the damage to the local agriculture and fishery industries at P106.5 million.

During an emergency session, Mayor Carlo Eleazar, chair of the local disaster risk reduction and management council, appealed for the swift declaration of the state of calamity to effectively address the situation.

The resolution (No. 2024-45) placing Tagkawayan under a state of calamity was unanimously approved by the municipal council, led by Vice Mayor Danny Liwanag. It will allow local governments to access calamity funds and serve as a mechanism to control the prices of goods and commodities in the area.

Authorities are currently monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of residents and to prevent further damage as heavy rains persist.

On Tuesday, a 56-year-old woman in Tagkawayan drowned in a river due to the flooding caused by Kristine.

The victim and her husband were crossing a cement bridge in Barangay Colong-Colong around 6 p.m. when they slipped and fell into the river below.

While her husband managed to swim to safety, his wife was swept away by the strong current.

Rescuers later found her, but she died while being transported to the hospital.

Tagkawayan is the southernmost town in Quezon province, bordering the Bicol region.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan