MANILA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Tarlac province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines has been placed under a state of calamity due to continuous heavy rain and widespread flooding caused by the southwest monsoon, Governor Christian Yap announced on Sunday.
The declaration allows local authorities to access emergency funds and speed up relief efforts for affected communities.
The Philippines has faced prolonged rains since August, driven by tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon. ■