No need to declare national state of calamity for ‘Ruby’ — Pama

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel put sandbags along a portion of the Roxas Blvd. Baywalk in Manila as part of the precaution against possible storm surges that maybe caused by Tropical Storm “Ruby” which is expected to pass south of Metro Manila on Monday evening (Dec. 8, 2014). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA — With government agencies getting the upper hand in “Ruby” humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) executive director Alexander Pama on Thursday said that there is no pressing need for a declaration of national state of calamity.

“Based on our meeting with Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Mar Roxas II (and other government agencies) there is no need for the government to declare a state of national calamity,” he said in an interview.

Initial damage assessments on “Ruby” battered areas indicated that damage sustained by infrastructure and agriculture were relatively light compared to those caused “Yolanda” last year.

The above-mentioned declaration is needed to require international assistance and support, he said.

And with damage proving to be lighter than those of “Yolanda”, Pama said that there is no need yet for massive foreign intervention.

However, the NDRRMC chief clarified that this does not mean that the Philippines is not accepting aid from donor countries who earlier pledged to help the country from the devastation caused by “Ruby”.

Earlier, Armed Forces chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said that 11 nations have offered to aid the Philippines in its “Ruby” related relief missions.

These countries are Australia, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and China.

The US Embassy in Manila also offered nine Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft and three Lockheed P-3C “Orion” maritime surveillance planes for air assessment and monitoring, Pama said.

Medical, relief workers and other support if needed, will also be provided, he said.

In line with this, Roxas said the situation is very much stabilize in Eastern Samar, the most affected area by “Ruby”, as all road networks and communication networks are being restored to pre-typhoon efficiency.

He also said that the peace and order situation is very good as no looting was reported before and after the onslaught of the typhoon.