From 23 municipalities under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP), several towns had already declared “State of Calamity” through their respective municipal council and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in a session yesterday afternoon, March 24.
During the second online session of Palawan’s Legislative Body, the members immediately approved the resolutions coming from the different local councils, declaring their towns under “State of Calamity.” This in line with the Presidential Proclamation No. 922 issued by Rodrigo Duterte last week, placing the entire country under a “State of Public Health Emergency” due to the threat of pandemic Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Included in the declaration are the municipalities of Quezon, Jose Rizal, Bataraza, Balabac, Cagayancillo, San Vicente and Linapacan. The towns of Coron, Busuanga, Roxas, Agutaya and Brooke’s Point are now also in “State of Calamity.”
Through the declaration, each local government unit will unlock their Calamity Fund and trust Fund in order to take necessary measures against COVID-19.
Last March 17, the Provincial Board already placed the entire Province of Palawan under “State of Calamity” that paved the way to the utilization of around P250 million fund to fight the contagious disease.