Manila, Aug. 21 -- Benguet's capital town La Trinidad has declared a state of calamity due to the effects of heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones.

The municipal council approved Resolution 374-2026 on Aug. 18, placing the town under a state of calamity, according to a Facebook post of the La Trinidad Mayor's Office on Thursday night.

The declaration is an offshoot of the municipal disaster risk reduction and management council (MDRRMC) resolution 5-2026, which recommends the measure.

It added that the state of calamity will facilitate the prompt release of calamity funds, enable enforcement of price controls on basic goods and support relief, rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

The town recorded 1,...