Ormoc welcomes President’s state of calamity declaration

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 10-- The city government of Ormoc has welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of state of calamity in areas badly affected by July 6 earthquake in Leyte province.

Mayor Richard Gomez ,  in a text message , said  the proclamation will “definitely” fast track the recovery of quake-hit Ormoc City and nearby town of Kananga.

“This is a welcome development. We are waiting for the help in the form of funds to get here. That will fast track everything,” Gomez told PNA on Thursday night.

Duterte signed on August  7 Proclamation No. 283 declaring the two areas under state of calamity.

The declaration effectively implements a price control on basic goods and commodities and price ceilings could be imposed.

Under Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, Section 17(a) provides for the “imposition of a price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the President upon the recommendation of the implementing agency as provided for under RA 7581.”

Duterte said the declaration would also “afford the government ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts.”

In view of this, the Chief Exectuive ordered all departments and concerned government agencies, including the affected local government units (LGUs), to implement and execute rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation work in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives.

“All departments and concerned government agencies are also hereby directed to coordinate with, and provide or augment the basic services and facilities, of affected LGUs,” the proclamation read.

The Kananga local government declared the state of calamity on July 7 or a day after the destructive tremor. Ormoc City made the same move on July 10.

In its August 8 update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a total of PHP220.21 million worth of damage in Leyte province.

The July 6 earthquake has killed at least three people and injured 310 others. Several aftershocks rocked the province in nearly two weeks. The strongest was magnitude 5.8 that injured 78 people, according to the NDRRMC.

The ground shaking has displaced more than 16,000 residents in 27 villages of the province.

A total of 113 schools, 10 health facilities, 35 government buildings, and seven commercial buildings in Leyte province sustained damages after the tremor.

In the past four weeks, Eastern Visayas region suffered rotational brownouts due to damaged power plants and transmission facilities.

President Rodrigo Duterte visited Ormoc on July 14 and assured residents of quake-hit Ormoc that the national government will be there to help the city get back on its feet. (Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)