• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Aside from San Enrique, the city of La Carlota and Hinigaran have also placed their respective local government units under a state of calamity, due to the devastation caused by heavy rains and flooding, triggered by the enhanced southwest monsoon.
As recommended by their respective City and Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Councils, La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalandoon and Hinigaran Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo said their Sangguniang Panlungsod and Bayan, respectively, during their regular sessions, approved the placing of their LGUs under a state of calamity.
With the declaration, Jalandoon said they may now use their calamity funds to help their displaced constituents, not only affected by the flooding, but also the threat of a Kanlaon volcano eruption.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that they studying if the province of Negros Occidental can already declare a state of calamity.
This was revealed by Lacson during an interview at the sidelines of the opening of 38th Negros Trade Fair held at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center in Makati, following the declaration of a state of calamity in San Enrique town, which is among the local government units badly affected by the heavy rains and flooding, due to enhanced southwest monsoon.
As of 12 noon of September 18, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported that about 43,312 families, composed of 149,962 persons, in 229 barangays of 25 cities and municipalities, have been affected by the bad weather.
“What is important is that help is reaching these local government units,” Lacson said, stressing that it is a concerted effort of the affected LGUs, provincial government, and regional offices.
Of the affected Negrenses, the PDRRMC reported that 8,342 families, composed of 33,978 persons, are now staying in evacuation centers, while 609 families, comprising 1,963 persons, have evacuated but are not staying in evacuation centers.
PDRRM officer Irene Bel Ploteña yesterday said they are now assessing the situation in Negros Occidental, if it fits to criteria set by the national government for calamity declaration.
The Office Civil Defense 6 reported three fatalities in Negros Occidental, including the two minors, who drowned in cities of Bacolod and Sipalay, and a 67-year-old man in Hinobaan.
Damage to crops, livestock and fisheries has also risen to P35,991,695.
OCD 6 Regional Director Raul Fernandez called on those staying in hazard-prone areas to voluntarily evacuate when necessary, so that responders will not be overwhelmed.
“We are advising the public to be vigilant, always listen to advisories, and cooperate for their safety and the safety of our rescuers and responders, since their life is also at stake,” he said.
Fernandez said the response cluster of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is ready to provide the immediate needs of affected families in the worst hit areas in Antique and Negros Occidental.*
