ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) - The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has passed a resolution requesting President Benigno S. Aquino III to declare a state of calamity in areas of Western Visayas adversely affected by typhoon ''Quinta.''
The move was made by the council chaired by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Rosario T. Cabrera to effect speedy relief, rehabilitation and other response efforts for affected areas, families and individuals from the national government.
The passage of the resolution was one of the highlights of the council's special meeting convened by Cabrera last Dec. 28 at the Jalaur Hall of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - 6 here. The meeting also updated the council and media on the assessment of damage wrought by the typhoon and the aerial inspection by the RDRRMC of affected areas last Dec. 27 with the support of the AFP's Tactical Operations Group-6 headed by Col. Frederick Cutler.
During the meeting, Cabrera announced that more relief assistance is under way for families and individuals who affected especially by flooding and landslides caused by the typhoon that hit the region on Christmas Day.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-6 (DSWD-6) said it has procured on Dec. 27 some P1.2 million worth of relief goods including foodstuffs for affected families. The DSWD is the vice chair of the council for disaster response.
DSWD-6's Judith Tanate said they have already prepositioned rice stocks in the provinces that they can withdraw in times of emergencies such as this one.
DSWD-6 reported that 33,257 families were affected by the typhoon including 170,037 individuals.
Tanate also bared that they will soon be piloting the model of the evacuation center that would be adopted in communities.
The initial consolidated report prepared by the RDRRMC showed that damage wrought by the typhoon to rice, corn, high-value crops especially vegetables and livestock have reached P62 million, the bulk of which is accounted for by the staple crop valued at P43 million.
These figures need further validation, said Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales at the meeting.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) said the agency deployed needed equipment including dump trucks and excavators for maintenance and clearing activities.
