Aquino declares state of national calamity

By on 3:31 AM

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity Monday night.

In a nationwide address he delivered live on television, the President said he had declared a state of calamity in order to speed up the relief effort.

 
“We have approved an additional P1.1 billion to add to the quick response funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Public Works and Highways,” he said.
 
 
 
Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) wreaked havoc across provinces in the Visayas region leaving a wide area of destruction and at least 250 individuals dead. Local authorities fear the death toll could rise to more than a thousand.
 
Several far-flung towns in Eastern Samar and in Leyte provinces have yet to be reached by relief personnel. Communication and power lines also remain down.
 
Many residents in the affected towns have resorted to looting to get food and other vital supplies.