So far, 84 local government units (LGUs) have declared their areas under state of calamity, and government offices have not been exempt from the onslaught of the deluge brought about by consecutive storms intensified by the Southwest Monsoon or “Habagat.”
Below is the tally per region, as reported by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa:
- 42 in Region III
- 27 in CALABARZON
- 6 in Region I
- 5 in Metro Manila
- 3 in Region VI
- 1 in MIMAROPA
Local governments in areas placed under state of calamity can utilize their calamity funds for the prompt assistance of constituents affected by the storms.
Meanwhile, government offices were not spared the devastation of Tropical Storm Emong in Northern Luzon. Among the affected is the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
According to OCD Deputy Spokesperson Diego Mariano, their La Union office, which oversees the agency’s operations in the Ilocos region, was damaged.
Infrastructure under the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), both first responders in calamities, have also reportedly sustained damages.
In an ambush interview in Camp Aguinaldo, Mariano revealed the damages are a result of Emong—previously in the typhoon category—making landfall in Region I.
“Ngayong Emong, as of kanina, nag-briefing kami, ang pinaka-hardest hit natin is La Union. So ‘yung maraming government offices ang natamaan, including our office sa Region I,” he said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted that Emong may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow morning, July 26.
