Typhoon “Ursula” knocks down a Christmas tree infront of the Aklan provincial capitol. (Jun N. Aguirre)

The Sanguniang Bayan of Kalibo has declared a state of calamity after Typhoon “Ursula” devastated the town, which was placed under Signal no. 3 on Christmas Day.

The declaration also comes with an approved P2.5 million quick response fund, according to Kalibo Vice Mayor Cynthia dela Cruz.

Eusebio Monserat, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Kalibo said the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) has been temporarily shut down.

“We noted damage to both the old and new terminal of KIA. Our assessment for safety is still ongoing. We may reopen the airport December 27 or 28 depending on the result of our assessment,” said Monserat.

KIA registers an average of 60 international incoming and outgoing flights daily. Eighteen others are domestic routes.

A ceiling of the Kalibo International Airport is heavily damaged by the strong wind and rain caused by Typhoon “Ursula.” (KIA Facebook)

Joel Martinez, head of the engineering department of the Aklan Electric Cooperative, said the entire province has no electricity.

“We are still currently conducting assessment. Power maybe restored in Kalibo for weeks while the entire province maybe months depending on the damages. We are currently coordinating with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for our restoration activities,” he said.

For his part, Galo Ibardolaza, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office, said that they are planning to propose the declaration of calamity in the entire Aklan province.

Conflicting reports place the number of casualties between nine to 16. They reportedly hail from Capiz, Iloilo and Leyte.