BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Baguio City Council approved on Monday, August 7, 2023, Resolution No. 494, Series of 2023, placing the city under a state of calamity due to the extensive damages caused by Super Typhoon Egay.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong requested the city council to pass a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the city with the extensive damages to essential lifeline infrastructures, residential areas, landslides, and erosions caused by the recent tropical cyclone.
“With 75 out of 128 barangays (58.59%) reporting critical incidents such as damages in houses or properties, casualties, and evacuees, the city meets the necessary qualification to declare a state of calamity,” the resolution reads.
“Declaring a state of calamity is crucial to facilitate access to additional resources, streamline assistance efforts, and enable the city government to provide timely support to affected residents, businesses, and infrastructure. This is a necessary step that will empower the city government to address the immediate needs of the community and lay the groundwork for a comprehensive recovery.”
In an interview, Magalong said that the declaration is essential for the city to use its Quick Response Fund (QRF) in its rehabilitation and recovery operations.
“Ang total damages is about P18 million dito sa Siyudad ng Baguio kaya nga kailangan nating i-access ‘yung QRF natin para ma-repair kaagad natin ‘yung mga school building, ‘yung ating mga nag-erode na mga road sides, ‘yung mga slopes natin especially public property, kailangan iayos kaagad natin ‘yun para hindi na uli maging hazard area,” Magalong explained.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported a total of P18,403,943.44 estimated cost of damages as of July 31, 2023 with P5,391,834.36 to primary poles, lines, and transformers; P8,633,000.00 to infrastructure and properties; P3,176,790.00 to facilities and learning materials, and P1,202,319.08 to facilities and crops.
The CDRMMO also reported incidents of 163 leaning or fallen trees and branches, 34 electrical concerns, 17 flooding, 14 soil erosion, 25 landslides, two clogged drainage, five stranded people/vehicles and one medical/trauma assistance.
Magalong said that clearing operations of fallen trees affecting power lines, cables, and roadsides were prioritized to avoid life-threatening situations. Then the cutters led by the City Environment and Parks Management Office focused on clearing of fallen trees in residential areas.
He said that of the 610 families evacuated during the onslaught of the tropical cyclone, several families are still staying at the evacuation centers due to the continuous rains caused by the prevailing Southwest monsoon. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
