WHEREAS, the devastating rains and floods caused by, typhoon œSendong  (international codename: Washi) have brought death, destruction, and incalculable damage to the lives and properties of Filipinos;

WHEREAS, due to the severe gravity of the damage, particularly in Regions VII, IX, X, XI, and the CARAGA, the government is spearheading the entire nation ™s efforts to undertake immediate rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation;

WHEREAS, a declaration of a state of national calamity will hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and will effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas; 

WHEREAS, this declaration also necessitates that the mechanisms for international humanitarian assistance are implemented pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121; and

WHEREAS, such declaration will further afford the local government units ample latitude to utilize their calamity fund for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of their constituents.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby declare a state of national calamity.

All departments and other government agencies concerned are hereby directed to implement and execute medical assistance, relief and rehabilitation work in accordance with existing operational plans and directives and orders issued in connection with the occurrence of calamities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 20th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

	(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
By authority of the President:
(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR.
Executive Secretary