President Rodrigo Duterte has placed six regions hit by Typhoon Odette under a state of calamity on Tuesday.
The regions under state of calamity are the following:
• Mimaropa
• Western Visayas
• Central Visayas
• Eastern Visayas
• Northern Mindanao
• Caraga
The recommendation came from the assessment of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
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Duterte said that this would improve the emergency response in the regions badly hit by the typhoon.
Under the law, there will be an “imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities” in places under state of calamity.
Authorities can also program or reprogram funds for repair and reconstruction.
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“The declaration of the state of calamity will hasten the rescue and relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including kung saan galing ang tulong – be it outside or ‘yung tayo-tayo lang,” Duterte said in his speech.
The NDRRMC reports that there are 177 people dead, 38 missing and 275 injured from the typhoon. (TDT)
