MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has placed the entire country under a state of national calamity following the widespread destruction caused by Typhoon “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi), as the government braces for the possible onslaught of another powerful storm, Typhoon “Uwan.”
Marcos said the declaration — based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) — is meant to accelerate the release of calamity funds, facilitate relief operations, and impose price freezes on essential goods in affected regions.
“Because of the scope of, shall we say, problem areas that have been hit by Tino and will be hit by (Typhoon) Uwan, there’s a proposal by the NDRRMC which I approve — that we will declare a national calamity,” Marcos said.
He noted that nearly “10 to 12 regions” were either devastated by Tino or are projected to be affected by Uwan, emphasizing the need for nationwide coordination and preemptive action.
The President said government agencies, the Armed Forces, and the Philippine National Police are sustaining rescue and recovery operations, while efforts continue to restore power lines, reopen blocked roads, and clear debris in hard-hit areas.
“We will not leave Cebu until everything is already in place,” Marcos added, “but we will do as much as we can to anticipate,” referring to ongoing preparations for Typhoon Uwan’s expected landfall in Northern Luzon.
The state weather bureau PAGASA reported that a tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is expected to strengthen into Typhoon Uwan and could reach super typhoon category upon entering the country early next week. It is projected to affect much of Luzon, including Cagayan.
Government data as of Thursday placed the death toll from Tino at 114, with thousands displaced and several towns in the Visayas and Mindanao still submerged in floodwaters.
Marcos expressed concern over the mounting casualties and said the validation of deaths, missing individuals, and property losses remains ongoing.
He assured the public that the government’s disaster response “remains in full swing” and that all agencies are “taking proactive measures” to mitigate the impact of the approaching storm./PN
