Benguet execs eye state of calamity declaration

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Benguet on Tuesday said it is mulling to declare a state of calamity in the province following request of members of the Benguet Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council.
    According to the PDRRMC, Benguet is one of the many provinces in Northern Luzon to experience damages to life and property caused by the wrath of super typhoon “Egay.”
    PDRRMC officer Abner Lawangen recommended the declaration of state of calamity during a meeting on Monday afternoon attended by the province’s top officials led by Gov. Melchor Diclas and Vice Gov. Ericson Felipe.
    The declaration means the implementation of price freeze over basic goods to ease the burden of the consumers.
    This is aside from the utilization of funds for the rehabilitation and other works destroyed by the calamity.
    Meanwhile, personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority are now in Kabayan, Benguet to assist in the water purification in the different barangays of the municipality.
    This is in response of the MMDA to the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Office of the Civil Defense to extend help to the areas affected by the recent super typhoon.
    To recall, the President vowed that aside from food and cash aides, safe water supply will be prioritized at the typhoon-stricken areas.
    MMDA personnel brought with them water purification equipment in coordination with the Kabayan Municipal DRRM and Municipal Health Services Office as they identified the areas in the municipality that needs potable water.