A state of calamity was declared earlier today in Bohol in the aftermath of the 6.5-magnitude tremor on Thursday last week that jolted Leyte and crippled both provinces’ primary energy sources.

The Sangguinang Panlalawigan (SP) made the declaration through a resolution passed during its regular session this morning led by acting presiding officer Board Member Kristine Alexie Tutor.

Governor Edgar Chatto had previously urged the SP and Vice Gov. Dioniso Balite to set the declaration in motion amid the continued electricity shortage in the province.

For his part, Board Member Tomas Abapo cited the criteria of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) needed for the declaration of a state of calamity.

Based on the NDRRMC’s Memorandum Order No. 004 Series of 1998, state of calamity may be declared in instances of disruption in electricity, water, communication and other systems occuring in over a week.

Bohol’s capital Tagbilaran City is some 190 kilometers away from the quake’s epicenter in Jaro, Leyte but the tremor triggered massive effects to residents and the economy due to the power crisis.

Meanwhile, a separate resolution was passed by the SP appealing to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and concerned national agencies to subsidize additional power expenses and surcharges that have arisen amid the crisis, including generation, transmission and distribution.

This was meant to free consumers from further burden, according to the resolution. (Rey Tutas)