STATE OF CALAMITY

SEVERAL local government units declared a state of calamity due to the effect of the onslaught of the southwest monsoon or habagat and the recent tropical cyclone “Crising.”

Under a state of calamity, the city or municipality can use its calamity funds to quickly respond to the needs of its constituents. 

The declaration will also allow the local government to impose a price freeze on basic commodities.

Placed under a state of calamity are Quezon City, Manila, Malabon, Las Pinas, and Marikina City in the National Capital Region; Dagupan City, Malasiqui, Calasiao, Umingan, Sta. Barbara, Lingayen, Mangaldan and Mangatarem in Pangasinan in Region 1 or Ilocos Region.

In Region 3 or Central Luzon: Balagtas, Calumpit, Paombong and Meycauayan in Bulacan; and Paniqui in Tarlac.

In Region 4A (Calabarzon), Agoncillo in Batangas, the province of Cavite;; Cainta, San Mateo and Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) in Rizal are also under a state of calamity.

In Region 4B (Mimaropa), a state of calamity was also declared in Roxas in Palawan; in Region 6 (Western Visayas ) Sebaste and Barbaza in Antique, and Cebu City in Region 7 or Central Visaya.

As of Tuesday afternoon, one of the three low pressure areas around the Philippine area of responsibility developed into tropical depression Dante.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), the enhanced habagat will bring significant rainfall over Luzon and some parts of Visayas.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said another LPA, which later was categorized as  tropical depression “Emong,” on Wednesday developed  into a tropical storm,

On the other hand, the LPA that is being monitored outside the PAR has a high potential of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, PAGASA also said.

Heavy rains and flooding across Metro Manila and Luzon have prompted Malacañang to suspend classes and government work until Thursday.