Cagayan de Oro is Now Under State of Calamity After Typhoon Sendong

Cagayan de Oro is Now Under State of Calamity After Typhoon Sendong

With at least 900 dead, hundreds still missing, thousands left homeless after Typhoon Sendong hit the area last week, Cagayan de Oro City was placed under state of calamity on Monday, December 19, as declared by the City Council as recommended by Mayor Vicente Emano who revealed that he already received at least P14 million in financial support to be given to the victims to help them rebuild their houses.

The City Council, likewise, allocated an undisclosed amount from the city’s coffer to mitigate the severe effects of the storm. They also passed and approved an ordinance asking recommendation report from the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) on the families hit by “Sendong”.

Another resolution has been passed by the City Council inviting officials of the Cagayan de Oro Water District, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned entities to give update of the status of water supply, prices of commodities, among other issues.

The flag at the City Hall has been put in half-mast in sympathy to those who died in the incident.

Currently, there are 6,737 families with 38,767 persons from the city’s 29 barangays staying in 19 evacuation centers in the city according to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Meanwhile, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, during his visit this morning in CDO, declared a national state of calamity. PNoy also ordered the disbursement of P1 billion for the permanent resettlement of residents who lost their homes, P54 million for repairs on the water system and P2 million for medicines.

The declaration of calamity would allow the government to give hazard pay to health, science and technological workers in the calamity areas. It also means that the calamity funds of the national and local governments and the Barangays can now be used for disaster-hit areas "and all agencies now can pour all of their resources in these calamity areas."

Under Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010, a declaration of calamity means all agencies are mandated to impose remedial measures including the imposition of price ceilings on basic necessities and prime commodities. Agencies must also prevent overpricing, profiteering and hoarding of basic supplies such as medicines and petroleum products.