Pampanga town under state of calamity due to flooding
The town of San Simon in Pampanga has been placed under a state of calamity due to continuous flooding.
State of calamity refers to a status that could be declared widespread within the country, or certain localities, in response to a destructive, natural, or man-made disaster.
This measure allows the release of “calamity funds” allocated to local governments and control the pricing of basic commodities in the affected areas.
Recently, San Simon, Pampanga has been placed under a state of calamity due to flooding.
According to Mayor Leonora Wong, about 6,000 families were affected by the floods while some barangays are still flooded.
She said this includes the barangays of Santa Monica, Dela Paz, San Agustin, and Santo Niño.
Crops in the town were also damaged.
The local government has declared a state of calamity to use the calamity funds for relief operations.
She noted in an interview with Teleradyo Lunes that they have insufficient funds as her local government unit still struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the last part of her statement, she called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that the drainage system is their main problem because it can no longer function when heavy rains come brought by sands filling the drainage.
She stressed that flooding was not because the area is low.
Meanwhile, the country experienced flooding previously due to the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Fabian.
But here are some of the reminders on what to do during the flood based on PAGASA:
- Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.
- Do not attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee.
- Beware of water-covered roads and bridges.
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements.
- Do not go swimming or boating in swollen rivers.
- Eat only well-cooked food.
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