NDRRMC submits resolution seeking national state of calamity due to Paeng

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday submitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. the resolution recommending the country be placed under a state of calamity due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng

“Ito po ay amin nang ginawa at papunta na po ang aming [we have already done this and our] communication recommending a declaration of national state of calamity [is on its way],” NDRRMC Chair Jose Faustino Jr. said in a press briefing.

NDRRMC told GMA News Online that the resolution was submitted to the President for his review on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, at the height of Paeng's onslaught, Marcos directed the the NDRRMC to submit a resolution seeking a declaration of a national state of calamity for one year, unless lifted earlier.

The President said that he would wait for and study the NDRRMC resolution.

A state of calamity would enable the government to tap additional funds for disaster relief and impose a price freeze on basic commodities.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said he supported the NDRRMC recommendation, after receiving reports that almost all regions in the country were affected by the onslaught of Paeng.

The NDRRMC’s Sunday situational report showed that at least 48 individuals died, while almost a million people were affected due to Paeng.

The storm also caused P54,965,924 in agricultural damage in the Western Visayas and Soccsksargen and damaged 714 houses in various regions. — DVM, GMA News