Muntinlupa declares state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines - The local government of Muntinlupa on Tuesday placed the entire city under a state of calamity due to massive flooding caused by non-stop torrential rains since Sunday.

City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the city council a special session this morning and came out wity a resolution declaring the city under a state of calamity.

Fresnedi noted that around 7,705 families have been affected by the massive flooding in the city and 138 of which are already in evacuation centers.

"Nag-request kami sa City council para mabigyan naman ng dagliang tulong ang mga kababayan namin," the mayor said in a radio interview.

The declaration would authorize the release of the city government's calamity funds.

He said that at the moment, the local government has tasked personnel and some volunteers to repack relief goods for distribution to the evacuees.

Residents, especially living near the Laguna de Bay, are ready to evacuate any time as soon as the water level rises, Fresnedi said.

"Nakahanda na sila na mag-evacuate pero talagang naghihintay sila ng sitwasyon na delikado pero talagang nakahanda sila," he added.