The town of Pototan in Iloilo declared a state of calamity on Tuesday, July 14, due to the “adverse effects” of heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and Typhoon “Inday.”
The declaration was approved by the Sangguniang Bayan after “careful deliberation and consideration of the Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA) report.”
Presented during the municipal council’s special session, the report detailed the extent of damage and the needs of communities affected by widespread flooding.
Mayor Adi Parcon Lazaro said the declaration formally acknowledges the impact of the weather disturbance on the town and provides the legal basis for the immediate mobilization of government resources.
The flooding displaced 1,034 families, or 3,615 individuals, from 31 villages.
The town also recorded three partially damaged houses in the villages of Bongco, Palanguia and Cau-ayan.
With the state of calamity now in effect, the local government can expedite emergency response efforts, access calamity funds, and carry out relief operations for affected residents.
The declaration also paves the way for rehabilitation and recovery initiatives, including the repair of damaged infrastructure and the delivery of assistance to families and communities that sustained losses.
Local authorities, meanwhile, continue to monitor the situation across the town while coordinating response efforts with concerned agencies.
Residents were advised to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and cooperate with emergency responders as recovery operations continue.Meriel Faith Dumapit, WVSU-COC intern/IMT
