BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday, September 17, clarified that the city is not under a state of calamity.
He said the situation in the city after being ravaged by Typhoon "Ompong" did not meet the criteria by the national government for the declaration of a state of calamity.
"Baguio City is not under a state of calamity since 20 percent of the population in Baguio were not affected by the typhoon, 40 percent of the livelihood in the city was not affected, not all the major roads were closed, there was no widespread disruption of our food crops, and disruption of electricity in the city was minor since the city was re-energized by Beneco," the mayor said.
He said prices of basic commodities were stable, although they were closely monitoring these.
"There were no reported changes in the prices of basic commodities as per monitoring of the Department of Trade and Industry. Possible abrupt changes in the prices of basic commodities may also be part of the criteria in declaring a state of calamity," Domogan said.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) estimated that the damage wrought by Ompong has reached about P125 million.
The council also reported 760 millimeter of rainfall was experienced during the onslaught of Ompong, higher than the 560-millimeter average daily, which caused flooding although the waters eventually subsided.
"As of Sunday, our cost estimate to the damages in the city have reached more or less P125 million and we will have to finalize the report to be submitted to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council if they can share anything to the city for rehabilitation in addition to our calamity fund," said the mayor.
The local government has also assured the families of the casualties of Ompong of appropriate financial support coming from the city and the City Social Welfare Department.
"For those victims of the typhoon here in Baguio City, we have requested from the DSWD-CAR through director Jannette Armas to speed up the distribution of assistance amounting to P20,000 per casualty, aside from the funeral expenses which will come from the DSWD over and above the funeral expenses," Domogan added.
CDRRMC action officer Carlos Canilao said the fatalities in the Pine City reached six. Nine were reported missing.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan identified the fatalities as Cynthia Balinggan, 17, from Bakakeng Sur: Miriam Behis, 58, from Camp 7; Shaina Mae Pascua, 19, Camp 7; Lovely Jane Bulakit, 11, from Bakakeng Central; and Grace Ganbe, 40.
Reported missing are Jose Oydoc Grenuar, Ruben Garcia Viernes, Celso Calso, John Lee Operania Viernes, Christine Atuban, and Edwin Angeles Cabaldo. Three unidentifed persons from Camp 8 and one from the Loakan road area were also said to be missing. (With a report from Maria Elena Catajan)
