Tacloban City declares state of calamity

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 19, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Tacloban City was placed under a state of calamity due to flooding.

This, per resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Tacloban City in a special meeting held at 3:30 in the afternoon of January 18, 2011.

The Sangguniang Panglungsod secretariat informed that the special meeting was requested by Mayor Alfred Romualdez who is the chairman of the Tacloban City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

It was learned that almost forty of the barangays of Tacloban City were under floodwaters caused by torrential rains. It would be recalled that heavy rains poured the whole day of Monday and on Tuesday causing most of the city streets to be under floodwaters.

The passage of the said resolution was followed by a corollary motion requesting for the list or report from the Tacloban City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on the extent of damage wrought by the calamity.

Most of the members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, except those who were out of town, were present in the special session despite the short notice.

Furthermore, the City Legislative Body passed a resolution addressed to the National Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), requesting for assistance from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health and other concerned agencies.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City Vice-Mayor Arvin Antoni informed the local media that transactions at government offices in Tacloban City on January 18 was half day only and classes in the various school in the City have also been suspended due to flooding caused by heavy rains that flooded the City streets.