Occidental Mindoro Declared Under State of Calamity Due to P2.1 Billion in Damages

CALAPAN CITY — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday formally placed the province under a state of calamity over damage caused by the southwest monsoon and by Tropical Depressions Maymay and Neneng. The resolution was approved upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by Gov. Eduardo The PDRRMC reported that the damage caused by the two tropical depressions and the monsoon has reached P2.1 billion. "The declaration of a state of calamity will allow the province to utilize its calamity fund for relief and rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities," the governor said. He added that the declaration would also enable the province to impose a price freeze on basic commodities in areas declared under a state of calamity. "This is to prevent profiteering and hoarding of goods amid the crisis," he said. Meanwhile, the PDRRMC is still assessing the full extent of the damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the province. Tropical Depression Maymay made landfall in Eastern Samar on October 26, while Tropical Depression Neneng made landfall in Cagayan on October 30. Both depressions brought heavy rains and strong winds to several parts of the country, causing widespread flooding and landslides. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo