State of calamity, in the context of disaster management in the Philippines, refers to a status that could be declared widespread within the country, or certain localities, in response to a destructive, natural, or man-made disaster. This measure allows the release of "calamity funds" allocated to local governments and control the pricing of basic commodities in the affected areas.
Legal background Under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (Republic Act 10121), a "state of calamity" is defined as "a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard".
Declaring a state of calamity The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has the power to recommend to the president of the Philippines the declaration of a group of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, regions or the entire country under a state of calamity, and the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the NDRRMC. The president's declaration may warrant international humanitarian assistance as deemed necessary. A state of national calamity is effective until the president lifts it.
State of calamity could also be declared or lifted by a local government unit's sanggunian or legislature, upon the recommendation of the local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) concerned, based damage assessment and needs analysis.
If a state of calamity is declared by the Philippine national government, the following measures will be imposed: Appropriation for calamity funds Price freeze for basic necessities Granting of no-interest loans.
State of national calamities The following is a list of state of national calamities declared by the president of the Philippines.
State of calamity in response toDeclaredDeclaring presidentBasisNotesSuper Typhoon Durian (Reming)Gloria Macapagal ArroyoProclamation No. 1185Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) and Super Typhoon Parma (Pepeng)Proclamation No. 1898Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong)Benigno Aquino IIIProclamation No. 303Super Typhoon Bopha (Pablo)Proclamation No. 522Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)Proclamation No. 682Typhoon Melor (Nona)Proclamation No. 1186COVID-19 pandemicRodrigo DuterteProclamation No. 929The State of Calamity was initially declared for six months (from March 16, 2020) but was extended through September 12, 2021 with Proclamation No. 1021. Proclamation No. 1218 subsequently extended the State of Calamity to September 12, 2022, "unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant."African swine fever outbreakMay 11, 2021Proclamation No. 1143Super Typhoon Rai (Odette)December 21, 2021Proclamation No. 1267Typhoon Kalmaegi (Tino)Bongbong MarcosProclamation No. 1077 Notes
See also Disaster area State of emergency
References