Bulacan: The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has formally endorsed a declaration of a state of calamity for the towns of Calumpit, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Bocaue, and Meycauayan City. This endorsement is pending ratification by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board).
According to Philippines News Agency, Retired Col. Manuel Lukban, PDRRMC chief, stated that the endorsement is due to the extensive damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Crising, the current southwest monsoon ("habagat"), and Tropical Storm Dante in the affected areas. Lukban's report indicates that agricultural damage has reached PHP56 million, with the livestock sector suffering losses of PHP436,000. "About 16,634 families have been evacuated to 56 evacuation centers in the province," Lukban reported. The major infrastructure damage reported so far includes a severed bridge at the border of Do±a Remedios Trinidad and San Miguel towns.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando has emphasized that the Bulacan Provincial Government will hold off on declaring a state of calamity until the towns and cities demonstrate effective response measures. On Monday, approximately 251 families in Bocaue and Balagtas affected by Crising and monsoon rains received food packs and emergency kits from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Bulacan provincial government during a relief distribution event.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) head Rowena Tiongson disclosed that Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, along with Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Alex Castro, Balagtas Mayor Adrian Santiago, and Vice Mayor Mikee Jane Gonda, led the relief distribution in Balagtas. Tiongson noted that the distributed items included family food packs from the DSWD and emergency kits from Governor Fernando, which contained blankets, mosquito nets, pillows, and 5 kg of rice.