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BECAUSE OF DEATHS, WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION

PNoy declares state of national calamity due to Nona


President Benigno Aquino III on Friday declared a state of national calamity following the devastation caused by Typhoon Nona.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 1186 “declaring a state of national calamity to hasten the rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Nona.”

Aquino last declared a state of national calamity in November 2013 after super typhoon Yolanda caused massive destruction in the Philippines.

The latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the death toll due to Typhoon Nona was at 17, and at least 20 others were injured.

The proclamation cited the "widespread destruction, substantial damage, and deaths in several ares, including the provinces of Albay, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon and Sorsogon."

“This declaration will, among others, effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas and afford the government ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of, and to continue to provide basic services to, affected populations, in accordance with the law,” the proclamation states.

The proclamation added that “the state of national calamity shall remain in force and effect until lifted by the President.”

Under Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, a state of calamity is “a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard.”

The latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the death toll due to Typhoon Nona was at 17, and at least 20 others were injured.

A state of calamity was earlier declared in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Sorsogon, Albay, and Northern Samar.

The NDRRMC further reported that a total of 76,796 families or 222,438 people were affected by the typhoon, and 132,122 houses were destroyed (23,614 totally and 108,508 partially). 

Rainy weekend across the country

As the country deals with Nona's effects on Luzon, PAGASA forecasters and NDRRMC personnel have raised concern anew that Mindanao should brace for heavy rains from Friday through the weekend as Onyok passes through the southern Philippines.

As of 5 p.m., PAGASA placed Onyok just over 200 km east of Mati City, Davao Oriental, with landfall expected before 10 p.m.

With maximum winds of just 45 kph, Onyok is not a strong cyclone but will nevertheless bring heavy to intense rain to Mindanao over the weekend.

"Ayon sa forecast ng MetraWeather, kahit na 150 km lang ang diameter ni Onyok, makakaranas ng malakas at matinding pag-ulan kahit sa layo na 350 km mula sa gitna nito," said GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz.

"Makakaranas ng heavy to intense rain sa kabuuan ng Mindanao ngayong weekend," Mang Tani said.

It will also be a rainy weekend across the entire Philippines, as Onyok's effects in the south are complemented by the effects of the Amihan and easterly winds coming in from the northeast.

Central Luzon is experiencing heavy rains this Friday, and will continue to do so over the weekend due to the convergence of the Amihan and southeasterly winds. This convergence, combined with Onyok's steady march across Mindanao, will result in moderate rains across the entire Philippines this weekend. —with TJ Dimacali/NB/JST, GMA News

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