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CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Friday, July 25, placed the entire province of Oriental Mindoro under a state of calamity for one year due to rains and flood from the southwest monsoon or ‘’habagat’’ and tropical cyclones ‘’Dante’’ and ‘’Emong.’’
Vice Gov. Antonio S. Perez Jr. said Resolution No. 7822-2025 pertaining to the state of calamity was approved on mass motion during the first special session of the provincial board at the Batasang Panlalawigan in Calapan City.
Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor on Friday requested the SP to declare a state of calamity in this city and five other towns due to widespread and escalating impact of torrential rains, flooding, and associated hazards caused by the recent weather disturbances.
Dolor recommended Calapan City, Baco, Naujan, Victoria, Bansud, and Pinamalayan to be put in a state of calamity list after receiving reports from the Provincial Risk Reduction Management Office that water levels in at least 112 barangays reached up to 4.5 feet.
In Calapan City, 43,545 people in 35 barangays were affected, followed by Naujan which reported a total of 48,381 affected residents in 23 barangays, Gov. Dolor said. Baco had 34,796 in 15 barangays while Victoria had 25,810 in 16 barangays.
“Such a declaration is critical to mobilize necessary resources, enable emergency procurement procedures, enforce price controls, and facilitate the full deployment of local and national response mechanisms,” Dolor told the SP.
Instead of selecting only seven areas under the governor’s list, the SP placed the whole province composed of 14 towns and one city.
“The calamity funds to be utilized for the provisions of assistance and other undertakings by the provincial government, in relation to the declaration of calamity, shall be limited only to all barangays which met or satisfied the criteria set by National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Memorandum Order No. 60, of 2019 or the Revised Guidelines on the Declaration of State of Calamity,” the SP said.
During the two-day deluge, two sections of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway in Calapan City – Bucayao and Panggalaan – were impassable to all types of vehicles. Santa Rosa Dos in Baco town was also impassable.
The Alag and Longos Rivers in Baco, Bucayao and Mag-asawang Tubig in Calapan, Pula in Pola, Balete and Agsalin in Gloria and Bansud overspilled, causing floodings in adjacent low-lying barangays.
