MANILA, Philippines — The Bangsamoro government has declared a state of calamity over the entire region due to the impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (interational name: Nalgae).
“The torrential rain caused massive flooding and landslides in some parts of the region — particularly in Cotabato City, Maguidanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur — which displaced thousands of families and caused widespread damage to properties, infrastructure, power and telecommunications services and casualties,” it said in a statement.
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Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Embrahim meanwhile said the Bangsamoro Government prepared for Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, the weather disturbance brought heavy rains that caused rivers and the sea to overflow.
“Pinapahalagahan ng Bangsamoro Governent ang buhay ng bawat mamamayan nito kaya’t patuloy po ang ating panawagan sa mga komunidad na malapit sa mga ilog at dagat na lumikas nang mas maaga sa tulong ng ating mga rescuers patungo sa mga evacuation centers,” he added.
(The Bangsamoro Government values the lives of its every resident so it continues to call on communities near rivers and seas to evacuate earlier through the help of our rescuers to our evacuation centers.)
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Saturday reported that Paeng has affected 58,329 persons in BARMM. The region has also recorded 33 fatalities due to the storm.
The NDRRMC earlier recommended to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to declare a national state of calamity for up to a year due to Paeng. This will trigger a price freeze and allow the release of emergency funds.