By Christian Dee
Legazpi City – The provincial government of Albay declared the state of emergency in a special session this afternoon conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Saturday, October 29.
Following the declaration of state of emergency, the provincial government of Albay and the local government units in 15 towns and three cities can use the 5 percent calamity funds to provide assistance to the public affected by Tropical Storm Paeng.
According to Gov. Noel Rosal in a meeting with Albay Public Safety and Emergency Mangagement Office (APSEMO) chief Cedric Daep and provincial social welfare development, the evacuated and affected families will be given at least five kilos of rice.
Rosal said that aside from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office relief goods, the province will provide the five kilos of rice.
“We will provide relief goods aside from the relief goods of DSWD. We are grateful to DSWD for their assistance to our constituents. The LGU Albay will also distribute 4,992 sacks of rice to be delivered to LGUs today. Every family we evacuated will receive 5 kilos each. Thank you very much for the cooperation of the Albayanos and all LGUs. So far, no casualty reported in Albay,” Rosal said.
The provincial government of Albay ordered the decampment of the evacuees on Saturday. At least 6,123 families or more than 24,000 Albayanos evacuated on Friday for safety measures and attain the zero-casualty goal of the government.