President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday declared a state of calamity in regions IV-A (Calabarzon), V (Bicol Region), VI (Western Visayas), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following the onslaught of severe tropical storm "Paeng."
Marcos earlier rejected the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to declare a year-long nationwide state of calamity due to "Paeng".
Under Proclamation 84 signed by Marcos on 2 November 2022, he noted that more than 1.4 of the populations in the said regions were severely impacted by the natural disaster.
"The declaration of a State of Calamity will, among others: hasten the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector; and effectively control the prices of basic necessities and price commodities," the proclamation read.
It added that the proclamation will afford the national government and local government units ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts and for the continuous provision of basic services to the affected populations in accordance with the law.
The President said the state of calamity shall remain in force and effect for a period of six months unless it is earlier lifted.
