MARAWI CITY— The Bangsamoro Government released on April 29 the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) Proclamation No. 002 s. 2024, declaring a state of calamity in the region due to the harsh effects of El Niño.

According to the Proclamation, the declaration will aid the affected communities and expedite the significant interventions of the interim government, including response operations and recovery efforts.

“This declaration will effectively control the prices of the basic goods and commodities for the affected areas and afford the BARMM and its LGUs ample latitude to utilize and appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of, and to continue to provide basic services to, affected populations, per the law,” the document provides.

Under Republic Act No. 11054, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Chief Minister has the power to proclaim a state of calamity during the occurrence of natural disasters that damage life or property in the region.

As of May 1, the mainland BARMM recorded a 39 °C of heat index according to the latest forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The Proclamation also urged the concerned BARMM ministries, offices, and agencies to exert the necessary measures to address the ongoing calamity.

“All ministries and other government agencies concerned are hereby directed to implement and execute medical assistance, relief, and rehabilitation work following pertinent operational plans and directives,” it stipulates.

Boosting responsiveness and timeliness to social protection services and building the resilience of communities to human-induced and natural catastrophes align with the 7th and 8th priority agenda of Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim. (BIO, PIA Region 10-Lanao del Sur))