Leyte declares state of calamity

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 26, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte, during its first “Session ng Bayan” this 2011, at Tanauan, Leyte, on January 25, declared the province of Leyte under state of calamity.

The resolution was authored by first district of Leyte Board Member Roque A. Tiu who served as mayor of the host town for fifteen years and unanimously seconded by all the Board Members.

Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, who is the chairman of the Leyte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management requested for the resolution considering the extent of damage the continuous rains have brought to agriculture according to the presiding officer, Vice-Gov. Mimyetta Bagulaya.

In the discussion that ensued before the adoption of the Resolution, almost all of the SP members took turns in reporting the damage to their respective area of coverage, Tiu said.

Board Member Tiu said that Governor Petilla wants to provide the affected farmers certified seeds so that they can start all over again. This is the only way that the food security and the rice productivity of the province will not suffer.

The declaration of state of calamity was also in response to the many requests from Municipal and Barangay LGUs including the employees from the public and private sector as it would give them the opportunity to secure calamity loans from public and private agencies according to PCL President Wilson Uy.

It is expected though that only the Governor will utilize a portion of the calamity fund as it is only the first month of the year and besides only the heavy rains according to Board Members Antonio Jabilles and Deborah Bertulfo of the Fourth District affected a small portion of the 4th district.