The Albay provincial government will seek a state of emergency declaration for coastal communities affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) to provide relief assistance to affected fisherfolk.

In an interview on Friday, Albay Governor Noel Rosal said the provincial government will recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) the declaration of a state of emergency covering coastal communities along Albay’s eastern and western seaboards, where many fisherfolk have been unable to go out to sea due to rough sea conditions brought by the “habagat”.

“We need a basis. We will just make a recommendation, but it is up to the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. We will recommend declaring a state of emergency in the western and eastern seaboards so we can assist, even if it’s just rice,” Rosal said.

He said he would certify the proposed measure as urgent to facilitate its approval during the provincial board’s next regular session.

“If we can recommend it by Tuesday, we will have it approved so we can immediately provide assistance to our fishermen,” he said.

The provincial government is initially considering providing at least 10 kilograms of rice to each qualified fisherfolk beneficiary, subject to the approval of the proposed declaration and the availability of funds.

“If I had my way, I would like to give 20 kilograms each, but I want everyone to receive assistance first,” Rosal said.

He estimated that about 40,000 fisherfolk across the province could benefit from the planned assistance.

“This is because of the ‘habagat’. We also have to help fisherfolk in the coastal communities along the eastern and western seaboards,” he said. (PNA)