The provincial board of La Union, upon the request of Gov. Manuel Ortega, has approved a resolution placing the province under a state of calamity due to the oil spill. Vice Gov. Aureo Nisce told The STAR that provincial officials decided to declare a state of calamity to enable local officials in the affected coastal areas to utilize their calamity funds in the cleanup to prevent further damage to the environment. "This (oil spill) is an immediate concern of the provincial government" Nisce said.

Elias, J. (2013, March 4). La Union placed under state of calamity due to oil spill. The Philippine Star, p. A-28.