Tuguegarao under ‘state of calamity’; over P10M damages incurred due to Typhoon Kristine

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – Tuguegarao City has declared a state of calamity following devastation reaching over P10 million worth of damages.

The City was placed under a ‘state of calamity’ on Thursday, November 7 after City Mayor Maila Rosario Ting-Que met with the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for a special session for the said declaration.

The City Agriculturist Office reported that the city sustained severe damages in the agricultural sector valued at around P10, 199,742.

Typhoon Marce exacerbated the effects left by Typhoon Kristine which caused heavy flooding in several barangays in Tuguegarao City, displacing many families and individuals. In October 24, a total of 114 families or 445 individuals sought temporary shelters because of the disaster.

With the declaration of a ‘state of calamity’, it is expected that necessary measures will be undertaken by the local government ‘to facilitate the rescue, recovery, relief, rehabilitation and return to productive livelihood of the affected citizenry of Tuguegarao City.’

Some of the measures include the provision of essential farm inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers and equipment.

This, according to the City LGU, aimed at aiding farmers rebuild their operations and ensure food security as well as promote resilience against future natural disasters.

In times of such declaration, it is also expected that a 60-day-price freeze on basic commodities such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, among others will be in effect.