As the Philippine economy contracts because of the threat of coronavirus disease or COVID-19, Pampanga province was put under a state of calamity putting into motion aid and relief operations.
Resolution No. 6102 was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its session held on March 16. The resolution signed by Vice Governor Lilia Pineda “declared the entire province of Pampanga under a state of calamity in order to address, contain and prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its ill effects and impact on the people of the province.”
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended the declaration of a province-wide state of calamity in the Pampanga province.
“Governor Dennis Pineda is hereby authorized to utilize and disburse such amount/s from the Quick Response Fund of the Province primarily for the aid, medicine relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other works or services to calamity-affected communities/areas of the Province of Pampanga,” the resolution stated.
There are currently three persons confirmed to have been infected by COVID-19 in Pampanga province. One had already died on March 11 at Mt Carmel Hospital in the city of San Fernando.
The DOH said there are already 142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Another 12 have already died as the government tightens the noose all over Luzon Island to minimize movement to prevent spread of the disease.