Resolution passed to declare Iloilo under state of calamity

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—The Iloilo provincial board on Friday afternoon passed a resolution putting the province under a state of calamity due the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

In a special session, the board unanimously approved the recommendation of The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to declare a calamity state to enable the release of a part of the province’s calamity funds.

Among the basis was the calamity declaration of the towns of Sta. Barbara, Bingawan, Miag-ao, Dingle, Dueñas, Estancia and Calinog.

These towns have been experiencing the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon which have affected crops and livestock.

Jerry Bionat, PDRRMC executive officer, said that under National Disaster Coordinating Council Memorandum Order 4 Series of 1998, a province can be declared a calamity area when two or more municipalities have declared a state of calamity.

The provincial agriculture office has reported damage to at least 32,800 hectares of rice lands in the province due to the prolonged dry spell.

Bionat said the calamity declaration will allow the province and municipalities to utilize their calamity funds.

The provincial El Nino task force had earlier allocated P33.7-million in preparation for the impact of the prolonged dry spell.

Bionat said the quick response funds will be utilized to augment the funds that were earlier released for water pumps, assistance to livestock and social welfare and health support for farmers. RAM

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