THE ILOCOS Norte provincial board has declared a state of calamity due to widespread flooding and damages to infrastructure and agriculture caused by continuous and heavy rainfall over the weekend. In a statement, the local government said more than 14,000 affected residents have been recorded and damages estimated at P111 million. “Declaring Ilocos Norte under state of calamity would mean coordinated efforts in every part of our province,” said Vice-Governor Angelo Marcos Barba, who chairs the provincial board. The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office also released an advisory urging tourists and locals to stay indoors. Tourist spots like the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Malacañang of the North, the Marcos Presidential Center, and other government-owned facilities have been closed until further notice. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council have launched initial relief operations in the towns of Paoay, Pasuquin, and Burgos.

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