Damage assessment first before calamity declaration

PROVINCIAL Board Member Thadeo Ouano yesterday cautioned against rushing the declaration of a state of calamity in the entire province.

He said the situation in each of the 51 towns and cities should be assessed thoroughly first.

“Only selected towns should declare a state of calamity, not the whole province. What I see as a drawback if the whole province is placed in a state of calamity, our investors will shy away,” he saidduring the weekly Kapistorya forum at the Capitol yesterday.

Ouano, who heads the PB committee on environment, said foreign investors might find the reported “scarcity of water” a problem.

Under the law, the declaration of a state of calamity is based on the results of a damage assessment.

The declaration will allow a local government to dip into its calamity funds and freeze prices of basic and prime commodities.

Ouano said some residents of Tuburan town in midwest Cebu had told him that they still have enough water. Tuburan was the first local government unit in Cebu to declare a state of calamity.

“I think he (Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante) really had basis. It’s not like he did it because he just wanted to,” said Ouano.

Three other towns – Argao, Borbon and Tabuelan – have passed separate res olutions declaring a state of calamity.

Governor Hilario Davide III assured that the provincial government will help all LGUs affected by the below-normal rainfall levels since March.

He has not received any damage report from any local government, however.

Davide said the P36.6-million quick response fund will be released when the Provincial Board declares the entire province under a state of calamity during its regular session on Monday. /With ADMU Intern Shaneika Lim