Marikina declares state of calamity

The local government of Marikina has declared a state of calamity through City Council Resolution No. 25-013.

“As your mayor, I have declared the City of Marikina under a State of Calamity in accordance with City Council Resolution No. 25-013,” said Marikina Mayor Marjorie Ann Teodoro.

The declaration seeks to expedite relief efforts and enable swift government action for affected communities.

“Its aim is to accelerate the delivery of aid and expedite necessary measures to ensure the welfare of every Marikina family,” the mayor added.

The city’s disaster council reported that 12 low-lying villages were severely impacted by floods.

As of Tuesday, 4,799 families and 23,639 individuals had been displaced, requiring urgent evacuation, shelter and relief support.

The resolution also cited significant damage to residential and commercial properties, widespread disruption of transportation and essential services, and heightened risks to public health and safety, especially for children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Teodoro said that the local government continues to assess the extent of the damage and prepare for emergency responses as she stressed that the scale of devastation “requires the mobilization of resources and implementation of emergency measures beyond the regular capacity of the local government.”

A state of calamity declaration would fast-track access to emergency funds and support rapid repairs and rehabilitation of affected areas. It would also allow full activation of the quick response fund under Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Under this law, 30 percent of the city’s estimated revenue from regular sources is allocated as a quick response fund to support relief and recovery programs.

Meantime, the town of Cainta in Rizal was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday due to flooding caused by heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon.

Cainta Mayor Keith Nieto declared the state of calamity after the Sangguniang Bayan passed a resolution based on the recommendation of Local Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“I have asked the Local Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Sanggunian Council to convene today in preparation for a declaration of a state of calamity for the municipality of Cainta,” Nieto said.

“All appropriate actions relevant to the situation shall forthwith be implemented with utmost dispatch,” the mayor added.