Batanes under state of calamity after ‘Julian’

Metro Manila, Philippines — Batanes is now under a state of calamity in the aftermath of Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon), which is barreling down on Taiwan.

The provincial council’s office signed a resolution to this effect on Oct. 2.

The declaration of a state of calamity will allow local disaster management offices to tap their quick response fund for recovery and emergency assistance.

The council will request national government agencies to provide aid.

The provincial government has tasked the local trade department office and price coordination council to prevent overpricing and hoarding of commodities.

Based on the Batanes disaster management office, “Julian” has impacted the entire population of the province.

The province logged its highest number of displaced families at 174 or 2,551 people as of Oct. 1.

Seventeen people were hurt.

The storm destroyed more than 1,000 houses.