Cold Tail Leads to States of Calamity

While the world is embracing calendar shift from 2010 to 2011, the eastern provinces of the Philippines are embracing the disastrous weather shift caused by the tail end of the cold front. It was explained by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that the cold northeast Asian air clashing with the warm tropical Philippine air is bringing heavy rains throughout the eastern/southeastern part of the country. This weather disturbance, also known as inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), is even aggravated by the La Niña phenomenon.

Though it is clear that there are no typhoons within the Philippines' area of responsibilities, affected local governments were forced to declare states of calamity due to the escalating damages to their villages, towns and provinces. These declarations will enable local governments to help immediately their constituents and tap their local emergency funds. As of today, January 4th, the provinces of Albay, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte have declared the state of calamity. The city government of Butuan City and the municipal council of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, likewise, have also declared the town's state of calamity. The town of St. Bernard was previously victimized by ITCZ last February 2006 when the whole village of Guinsaugon, St. Bernard was buried by tons of soil, boulders and mud when the nearby Mount Kan-abag cascaded.

The national government is also closely coordinating with their local and regional counterparts. The PAGASA, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are working hand in hand to rescue and evacuate residents from the affected areas. Sec. Jesse Robredo, DILG, has reportedly ordered PNP and BFP to aid the local government units in the search and rescue operations in the flood stricken areas. President Noynoy Aquino has also appealed to the public to help the thousands of people displaced by the flood.

The disastrous effects of ITCZ heavy rains have started as early as mid-December last year when Roxas City, Capiz was flooded for 3 consecutive days forcing their City Council to declare the city under state of calamity. But at least the residents of the City of Roxas had their Christmas and New Year celebrations flood free unlike the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon which were later damaged by rain and flood during the holidays. Although, Albay evacuees were given green light to go home, Gov. Joey Salceda, Albay, has urged PAGASA to device a warning system for ITCZ. Albay is boasting its zero-casualty for four years until this year when a woman died in the flood breaking the province's record and the governor's heart. Currently, PAGASA has not devised any warning system for ITCZ.

UPDATE: As of 5:59 PM January 4, 2011 there are already 13 casualties around the country due to the heavy rains and floods according to the NDRRMC via a radio interview. It was also reported the public should expect that the ITCZ will push inward central Philippines in the following days.