Monsoon renders Ilocos town in state of calamity

By Eva Visperas

STA. LUCIA, Ilocos Sur – This town has been placed under a state of calamity due to the damage left by the southwest monsoon.
    The municipal council passed a resolution declaring the state of calamity and authorizing the use of P1.5 million from the quick response fund of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management fund for the purchase of relief goods and other items for affected residents.
    Six coastal barangays and seven low-lying areas were affected by flooding when irrigation canals overflowed.
    A number of families evacuated their homes.
    About P1.25 million worth of infrastructure and P5 million in agricultural crops were damaged.
    The local government initially distributed rice packs to residents of 36 barangays.