UPDATE ON TYPHOON PABLO (INTERNATIONAL CODE: BOPHA)
The death and destruction from the effects of Typhoon Pablo rose once again. The international community has been very responsive. International and local aid continue to pour in. The Philippine Government and the UN Humanitarian Country Team conducted a joint needs assesment on 05 December 2012 and identified immediate needs. Donors may send their donations to the NDRRMC, DSWD or Philippine Red Cross. More information may be obrained from www.ndrrmc.gov.ph.
As of 17 December 2012, 1,043 were reported dead. Of the dead, 398 remain unidentified. The injured number 2,662 injured and 844 are listed as still missing. 701,224 families or 6,203,826 persons were affected by the typhoon’s devastation. Forty(40) cities and thirty-four (34) provinces of Regions IV-B, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and CARAGA were affected.
CARAGA is composed of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Butuan City.
The total cost of damages was placed at PHP 24,160,920,528.05. Damage to infrastructure is PHP 7,761,431,310.00 while damage to agriculture is PHP 16,350,529,805.05; damage to private properties: PHP 48,959,413.00
According to the Department of Agriculture, about 26,160 hectares of crops in 18 provinces from 6 regions in Mindanao (Regions IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and ARMM) were affected.
Declaration of State of Calamity:
On 7 December 2012, President Aquino declared a State of National Calamity through Proclamation No. 522.
As of 9 December 2012, a total of fifty (50) provinces, municipalities and cities in Regions IV-B, VII, X, XI and CARAGA were declared under the state of calamity.
The declaration of a state of National Calamity will hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and will effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas.
The declaration also necessitates that the mechanisms for international humanitarian assistance are implemented pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”.
