PNoy declares state of national calamity

President Benigno Aquino III has signed the proclamation putting the entire country under state of national calamity due to the devastation caused by tropical storm Sendong particularly in several areas in Northern Mindanao over the weekend.   In Proclamation No 303, signed Tuesday night and released to the media Wednesday afternoon, Aquino directed all departments and government agencies to implement and execute medical assistance, relief and rehabilitation work in accordance with existing operational plans and directives and orders in connection with the occurrence of calamities.   Latest figures from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) placed the number of fatalities due to Sendong at 1,002, mostly from the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, with damage to property nearing the P1-billion mark, including P946,950,000 in damaged roads and bridges and P22,800,000 in health facilities in Region X (Northern Mindanao) alone.    Aquino, who visited Cagayan de Oro and Iligan on Tuesday, said due to the severe gravity of the damage, particularly in Regions VII (Central Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao Region) and the CARAGA, the government is spearheading the entire nation’s efforts to undertake immediate rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation.   He said the declaration will hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector including any international humanitarian assistance.   The declaration would also effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas.   “This declaration also necessitates that the mechanisms for international humanitarian assistance are implemented pursuant to Republic Act 10121,” Aquino said. RA 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010" is the law creating the NDRRMC. Section 18 of the law provides for the "Mechanism for International Humanitarian Assistance," exempting from tax and customs "subject to the approval of the Office of the President" the importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine and equipment for relief and recovery and other disaster management and recovery-related supplies.   The President added that such declaration will further afford the local government units ample latitude to utilize their calamity fund for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of their constituents.   Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, earlier said the declaration would allow the national government to tap more funds for the rehabilitation and relief operations. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News