A WEEK AFTER 'PEDRING,' PNOY TO VISIT CENTRAL LUZON; PEDRING DAMAGE WORSE THAN ONDOY'S

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is set to recommend to President Benigno Aquino III the declaration of flood-stricken areas of Bulacan, Tarlac and Pampanga under a state of calamity, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda said sections 16 and 17 of Republic Act 10121 prescribe that when the government announces a state of calamity, it can impose price ceilings on basic commodities, prevent hoarding, re-program funds for the repair and upgrading of facilities destroyed by calamities.