MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national calamity as the Philippines battles widespread destruction from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has killed at least 114 people and left 127 others missing, officials confirmed Thursday.
The declaration, announced as the nation braces for another powerful storm, aims to fast-track disaster relief and unlock emergency funding for affected provinces. “That gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds,” Marcos said, explaining that the move will also “immediately provide assistance to the victims” by easing bureaucratic procedures.
Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, slammed into the Philippine archipelago on Tuesday, bringing torrential rain, landslides, and flooding before moving toward the Kalayaan Islands en route to Vietnam, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported.
The Office of Civil Defense said recovery operations remain ongoing in several provinces, with widespread damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and local economies.
Preliminary government assessments point to millions in losses, intensifying concerns over rising recovery costs and inflation in storm-hit regions.
Compounding the crisis, a second system, Typhoon Uwan, is forecast to hit Luzon in the coming days. Meteorologists warn it could strengthen into a super typhoon with sustained winds exceeding 150 mph, potentially affecting 10 to 12 regions.
Local authorities have issued evacuation orders and urged coastal residents to move to higher ground as emergency teams prepare for back-to-back storm impacts.
