The President of the Republic of the Philippines, Pres. Benigno Aquino III, declared on Monday, a state of national calamity due to the m(–foul word(s) removed–)ive devastation wrought by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Visayas.
Pres. Aquino was quoted as saying, “”… by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and by law, do hereby declare a State of National Calamity,” so declared President Aquino in Proclamation No. 682.
According to the President, cited as reason for the declaration was the “widespread death, destruction and incalculable damage in several areas, including the Samar provinces, Leyte, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Palawan” by super typhoon, the strongest and possibly the deadliest in the history to hit the Philippines.
Based upon the official reports of the National Government, a total of 9.6 million people have been affected in the Visayas by the super typhoon. Under the proclmation of the State of National Calamity, the government will control the prices of basic goods and commodities in the affected areas.
“… this declaration will, among others, effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas and afford government ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of, and to continue to provide basic services to, affected populations, in accordance with law,” it said.
The proclamation also ordered the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to “undertake all necessary measures” to ensure peace and order in the areas devastated by the typhoon.
The proclamation cited that the state of national calamity will remain in effect “until lifted” by President Aquino.
Meanwhile watch the official statement of President Aquino on the wrath of Yolanda: