Duterte declares state of calamity in 6 Odette-hit regions

President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity in six regions affected by Typhoon Rai (Odette) on December 21.

The declaration aims to expedite aid, control prices, and facilitate relief efforts.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said the delay was due to assessing damage before declaring the calamity.

Local government units had already utilized Quick Response Funds for immediate response efforts.