MANILA, Philippines — Laoag City in Ilocos Norte has been placed under a state of calamity after severe tropical storm Ineng (International name: Bailu) brought heavy rains and displaced residents due to flooding, the city government said Saturday.
“We encourage everyone to stay at home and be safe at all times,” the city government of Laoag said.
Philippine law defines a state of calamity as “a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas” due to a disaster.
Under a state of calamity, authorities can impose price ceiling on prime commodities, as well as heighten monitoring to prevent profiteering and hoarding of key consumer items.
Authorities may also program and reprogram funds for the repair of public infrastructure, and get access to no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said “Ineng” is still on track to leave the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday afternoon and is now heading towards the southern tip of Taiwan.
READ: 'Ineng' crosses Bashi Channel, threatens southern Taiwan
Ineng packs maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 125 kph.
Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Northern Abra and Ilocos Norte are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 1.
Signal no. 2 is still declared in Batanes and Babuyan Islands. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral