Sorsogon under state of calamity as storm whips province

INQUIRER FILES

SANTA MAGDALENA, Sorsogon—The province of Sorsogon has been placed under a state of calamity as damage to agriculture and infrastructure due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine climbed to P895 million.

The move was unanimously approved by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) in a special session on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

It was likewise backed  by the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office (PDRRMO) after consolidating reports from local government units.

In agriculture, at least P207 million in damage was reported.

The province also reported P573 million worth of infrastructure damage, with a total of 114,373,000 houses destroyed.

Additionally, the PDRRMO reported that 29 percent of the province’s population, or 241,117 residents (71,893 families), were affected by the storm.

“There should be a basis in declaring [a state of calamity] to ensure that the fund will be used appropriately,” said Governor Edwin Hamor.

Hamor added they had to wait for the reports of the LGUs before declaring a stater of calamity.