QC declares state of calamity

Several parts of Metro Manila have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, with the Quezon City government declaring a state of calamity yesterday following heavy rainfall and flooding that affected several parts of the city, leading to the evacuation of thousands of families.

-  JANVIC MATEO

In Marikina and Manila, thousands of families have been evacuated to shelters. Malabon and Valenzuela, meanwhile, are managing with their disaster response amid heavy flooding across the cities.

The Quezon City council held a special session to tackle the proposed resolution declaring the state of calamity, which authorized the city government to access available city and barangay calamity funds to respond to the impact of the storm.

The city council also approved a separate resolution lifting the earlier state of calamity declared due to Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon in July.

Mayor Joy Belmonte visited several evacuation centers to lead the distribution of relief supplies and check on the status of evacuees. She earlier convened the city's disaster risk reduction and management council to prepare for the storm.

The local government implemented preemptive evacuation in several low-lying barangays, with various agencies put on standby to prepare for emergencies.

As of yesterday afternoon, over 2,500 families composed of 8,880 people are still in 38 evacuation centers put up in 26 barangays.

The City Engineering Office inspected affected areas, including a retaining wall that collapsed in Barangay Bagong Silangan.

The Quezon City local government reminded residents that retaining walls cannot be used as part of structures, including houses.

The city's Parks Development and Administration Department, along with other agencies, also conducted clearing operations to remove fallen trees and other debris along roads.

2,000 families in Marikina