Baguio not under state of calamity

BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan clarified the city is not under the state of calamity after being ravaged by Typhoon ‘Ompong’.

Domogan explained despite the effects brought about by ‘Ompong’ in the city, it did not reach the criteria by the national government in declaring a city or a province under the state of calamity.

“Baguio City is not under the state of calamity since 20 percent of the population in Baguio were not affected by the typhoon, 40 percent of the livelihood in the city was not affected, not all the major roads were closed, there were no widespread disruption of our food crops, and disruption of electricity in the City was minor since the city was re-energized by Beneco,” the mayor said.

Aside from this, the city was monitoring the prices of basic commodities which according to the mayor was not affected by the typhoon and remained at normal conditions.

“There were no

reported changes in the prices of basic commodities as per monitoring of the Department of Trade and Industry. Possible abrupt changes in the prices of basic commodities may also be part of the criteria in declaring a state of calamity,” Domogan explained.

At present, Baguio City have incurred more than P100 million in damages brought about by Ompong.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 760 millimeter of rainfall was experienced during the onslaught of ‘Ompong’ from the average 560 millimeter which cause flooding of the city’s drainage canals which eventually subsided.

“As of Sunday, our cost estimate to the damages in the city have reached more or less P125 million and we will have to finalize the report to be submitted to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council if they can share anything to the city for rehabilitation in addition to our calamity fund,” said the Mayor.

The local government have also assured the families of the casualties of Ompong of the appropriate financial support coming from the city and the City Social Welfare Department.

“For those victims of the typhoon here in Baguio City, we have requested from the DSWDCAR through Director Jannette Armas to speed up the distribution of assistance amounting to P20,000 per casualty, aside from the funeral expenses which will come from the DSWD over and above the funeral expenses,” Domogan added.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan identified the casualties as Cynthia Balinggan, 17 – years - old, from Bakakeng Sur, Miriam Behis, 58 years old, from Camp 7, Shaina mae Pascua, 19 years old, Camp 7, 11 year old Lovely Jane Bulakit from Bakakeng Central and Grace Ganbe, 40 years old.