3 ARMM provinces under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines - Three of the five provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have been placed under a state of calamity to allow the local governments to address the need of their constituents following heavy rains since Tuesday.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, ARMM executive secretary, said Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Maguin­danao were placed under a state of calamity on Tuesday night.

Sinarimbo said there has been massive flooding in 14 Sulu barangays for several days now.

He said additional personnel will be deployed to the Delta Bridge in Cotabato to help clear the water of hyacinth blocking waterways and causing flooding.

He said flash floods were also reported in Sultan Kudarat, the upper part of Cotabato City, and northern Kabuntalan.