President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated on Wednesday that the decision to declare a state of calamity in Metro Manila cities lies with the local chief executives, as they are best equipped to determine their needs.
In an ambush interview following a briefing on Typhoon Carina, Marcos clarified that the national government will intervene only if three or more regions are affected by a calamity. "No," he responded when asked if he would declare the state of calamity in Metro Manila. "Usually, the state of calamity is the LGU executive's responsibility. If it's regional, because multiple regions are involved, then the national government steps in. But it's up to the local communities to decide because they know best what they need," Marcos explained.
Marcos emphasized that the declaration allows local governments to access additional funds necessary for relief efforts once their emergency reserves are depleted. "So that's what we're working on now," he added.
Despite the extensive flooding in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon, Marcos reiterated that it is the LGUs' prerogative to declare a state of calamity. "It is up to them. That's very much a local prerogative," he stressed.
During the briefing, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. recommended the declaration of a state of calamity in Metro Manila due to severe flooding. The Metro Manila Council was set to convene later in the day to make a decision.
Declaring a state of calamity enables local governments to swiftly access emergency funds and implement relief operations for displaced residents. Large parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces experienced significant flooding on Wednesday following heavy overnight rains from the Southwest Monsoon, enhanced by Typhoon Carina.
PAGASA's 11 a.m. update reported that Typhoon Carina continued to intensify while moving towards Taiwan. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals No. 2 was raised over Batanes, and Signal No. 1 over the Babuyan Islands, northern mainland Cagayan, and northern Ilocos Norte.
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