ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) — The municipality of San Andres in Romblon has been declared under the State of Calamity due to extensive damage from the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) and tropical storms Carina and Butchoy.
This after the Sangguniang Bayan of San Andres passed and approved a Resolution on Tuesday, July 23, placing the town under the State of Calamity.
Jabez Gadon, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) of San Andres, reported that the MDRRM Council, led by Mayor Arsenio Gadon, recommended declaring the State of Calamity.
MDRRMO Gadon revealed that flooding affected 1,378 families or 70 percent of the town’s households.
Photo credit: Jordan Dorado/Romblon News Network
“Almost 70 percent of the houses here were flooded. Even if some didn’t sustain damage, they were still submerged. All barangays experienced flooding,” Gadon told PIA Romblon.
The adverse weather conditions caused landslides, river overflows, and flooding in an elementary school in Brgy. Mabini.
The record from the municipal government of San Andres as of July 23 showed that the total damage to agriculture and infrastructure is estimated at P65 million.
With the declaration of a State of Calamity, the local government can now access its quick response fund to assist the flood-affected families. However, resources are limited due to previous aid provided during the El Niño crisis.
“We can provide some assistance, but our funds are really tight because we also provided help during the El Niño event. Declaring a State of Calamity allows us to seek additional support from the national government,” Gadon explained. (PJF/PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)
Photo above credit to: Miles Fabula
