State of calamity up in Bataan, Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Meanwhile, the provincial government of Bulacan is considering a similar declaration due to floods that affected  12 towns and two cities.

Bataan Gov. Joet Garcia announced on Saturday that the province is under a state of calamity due to the recent typhoon and the bad weather caused by the southwest moonsoon and Tropical Storm Falcon.

Garcia said the bad weather destroyed up to P22.38 million worth of agricultural crops.

Up to 639 families are staying in different evacuation centers, he said.

As this developed, the towns of Macabebe, Masantol, San Simon and Sto. Tomas in Pampanga have been placed under a state of calamity due to massive floods.

Sto. Tomas was the latest to be placed under a state of calamity following a special session by the municipal board yesterday morning.

Several major roads in the province such as portions of the Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol Road, Bahay Pare-San Luis-Sto. Domingo Road and the Candaba-San Miguel Road were impassable to all types of vehicles as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando said he might declare a state of calamity, although he would finalize it once he arrives from South Korea.

“I am scheduled to go home tonight (last night) from my mission (in South Korea). We are preparing the data for the declaration,” Fernando said.

Earlier, Ilocos Norte was the first province in Northern Luzon to declare a state of calamity followed by Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, Abra and several towns and cities in Pangasinan.

The provincial government of Bulacan blamed the release of water from Bustos Dam for the massive flooding.

Fernando said he has called the attention of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), which handles the operation of Bustos Dam.

“According to a report from our PDRRMO, at least 700 cubic meters per second of water were released. I was furious,” Fernando said, referring to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office.

Based on video footage provided to him by the PDRRMO, he said the volume of water released from the dam was way more than what the NIA claimed.

“I saw the video. The flow of water at the releasing gate was big,” he said, adding that at least five gates of the dam are currently releasing water.

“I have been questioning the (stability) of the gates. Only five of the six gates are functioning and these five are unstable,” he said.

Fernando said the flooding was exacerbated by the high tide and the monsoon rain.

“Rains are expected to persist as Typhoon Falcon will enhance the monsoon,” he said.

The Calumpit District Hospital in Calumpit, Bulacan stopped accepting patients yesterday afternoon due  to the  flood.

In an advisory sent to the provincial government, hospital administrators said patients who have appointments were advised to reset their schedules.

Patients currently admitted in the hospital were transferred to the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos for continuous treatment.

Emergency cases were given first-aid before being transferred to other hospitals, the advisory read.

Price freeze

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is implementing price control on prime commodities in all areas hit by the calamities.

DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual told journalists in Laoag, Ilocos Norte that traders should follow the price freeze order, otherwise they would face consequences.

Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act provides that prices of basic commodities should automatically be frozen in areas placed under a state of calamity.

DTI personnel will be deployed in typhoon-hit areas to monitor and ensure that the price freeze is properly implemented. — Jun Elias, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Bella Cariaso