Albay, Catanduanes under state of calamity after Paeng onslaught

• Published date: 31 October 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

Two provinces in the Bicol Region are now under a state of calamity due to the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng over the weekend.

Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson of the Office of Civil Defense-5 (Bicol), in a report on Monday said placed under such state were Albay and Catanduanes.

Albay Governor Noel Rosal announced the declaration through his Facebook page after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution No. 0169, series of 2022.

"The declaration of a state of calamity, under the law, authorizes the local government units to utilize local funds during an eminent disaster," the resolution read.

Naz said they are still waiting for a copy of the passed resolution for Catanduanes but the official Facebook page of the provincial government showed its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council approved the move to place the province under a state of calamity.

"With the declaration, the provincial government and municipal LGUs (local government units) can be equipped to respond to the situations in their municipalities brought bY Paeng, but to also further prepare for the impending weather disturbances in the remaining months," the social media post added.

On Saturday, Paeng first made landfall in Virac, Catanduanes, at 1:10 a.m. and made a second one in Caramoan, Camarines Sur at around 1:40 a.m.

The tropical cyclone damaged crops, infrastructure and homes in different parts of the Bicol Region.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released over PHP14 million worth of assistance to families in the Bicol Region badly...