Marcos OKs state of nat’l calamity due to Tino, incoming super typhoon

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

NATIONAL CALAMITY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over a situation briefing with Cabinet officials on the effects of Typhoon Tino and preparations for a possible super typhoon, on Thursday (Nov. 6, 2025) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. During the meeting, the President approved the proposal to declare a state of national calamity due to the effects of Tino and in preparation for the potential super typhoon this weekend. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday approved the declaration of a state of national calamity following the widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) and in preparation for the onslaught of a possible super typhoon.

“Because of the scope of, shall we say, problem areas that have been hit by Tino and will be hit by (Typhoon) Uwan, there’s a proposal by the NDRRMC which I approve — that we will declare a national calamity,” Marcos told reporters after a situation briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“Because ilang regions na yan, almost 10 regions, there will 10 to 12 regions that will be affected (Because many regions have been affected, almost 10 regions, and 10-12 will be affected by Uwan),” he added.

The President’s approval came as Tino pounded Visayas and Mindanao with heavy rains, strong winds, causing massive floods that displaced thousands of families, submerged towns, and triggered multiple landslides.

The reported death toll from the effects of the typhoon has reached 114, according to latest government data.

The declaration will hasten relief, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts across affected areas by allowing faster access to calamity funds, price controls on basic commodities, and streamlined deployment of national government assistance.

Meanwhile, a tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is expected to make landfall in Cagayan and affect the majority of Luzon early next week. It will be named Uwan once inside PAR, the 21st storm to enter the country, and has the potential to become a super typhoon, according to the weather bureau.

Response in full swing

Marcos said the government is in full swing implementing response operations in areas hardest hit by the storm, especially in the Visayas, adding that preparations are now being made in anticipation of Typhoon Uwan’s impact on Northern Luzon.

The President said teams from the national government, military, and police remain deployed in disaster-stricken areas to deliver assistance, restore power and communication lines, and help clear roads blocked by debris and landslides.

He noted, however, that the challenge now lies in balancing the allocation of manpower and logistics between the ongoing response in Visayas and the preparations in Northern Luzon, where Typhoon Uwan is seen to make landfall.

“Siyempre ‘di namin iiwanan ang Cebu hanggat lahat na in place na (We will not leave Cebu until everything is in place) … but we will do as much as we can to anticipate,” he said.

Marcos expressed concern over the high number of casualties caused by Tino, saying validation of deaths, missing persons, and total damage remains ongoing.

He assured the public that the government would continue its relief operations while ramping up preemptive measures for Uwan’s expected impact.