MARIKINA City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro has placed the city under state of calamity following the onslaught of Typhoon “Ulysses” after massive floods displaced thousands of residents on Thursday.
“I have declared a state of calamity for the city of Marikina para magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang ating pamahalaan na epektibong makatugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan dito sa lungsod,” Teodoro announced.
Teodoro said the declaration of a state of calamity would allow the local government to access its calamity funds to provide assistance to residents affected by the severe weather disturbance.
This will also give the local government the opportunity TO effectively respond to the needs of its residents, and help them recover from the damages of the typhoon, the mayor added.
On Friday, the local government removed the mud left by floodwaters to ensure the safe return of residents to their homes. The city will deploy doctors to communities who will attend to the health concerns of residents.
Although the city’s public facilities sustained damages, Teodoro noted that damages of the typhoon on the livelihood and welfare of residents were worse.
“Marami sa amin dito ang hindi nakapagtrabaho dahil nga sa bahang dinanas nila. Nasa gitna pa ng pandemya, pero ito pa yung nararanasan naming,” Teodoro said.
The local chief executive has coordinated with the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System, and Pag-Ibig to provide calamity loans to residents affected by the typhoon.
Distancing learning of students in the city were also suspended until November 17.
Massive flooding submerged parts of Marikina City after the Marikina River overflowed due to strong rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses Thursday morning.
Marikina River has risen to 22 meters as of 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 12 – higher than the 21.5–meter level as Teodoro said it reached during Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009.
