• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Typhoon Tino left massive devastation on infra and agriculture in its wake in Negros Occidental, which was reported by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRMC) to amount to P1,976, 367.038.70.
On the other hand, the Sugar Regulatory Administration reported that 53,000 hectares of sugarcane fields damaged by widespread flooding, affecting 17,000 farmers, translating to a minimum loss of 500,000 bags of raw sugar, as well as 9,000 tons of molasses, amounting to P1.26 billion, excluding the damage to farm property and equipment, as well as to sugar mills.
In a report of the PDRRMC dated November 20, damage to infrastructure was placed at P1,500,390,604.23, agriculture and livestock at P303,135,434.44, and P172,841,000 for the education sector.
Almost one million Negrenses were affected by the typhoon, which mostly devastated local government units in central Negros, claiming the lives of 96 individuals, while 40 are still missing.
Tino also destroyed 19,862 houses and partially damaged 180,823 homes.
More than 500 families in Hinigaran and Moises Padilla, whose residences were located along riverbanks and were swept away by flashfloods, may no longer be allowed to rebuild their houses, as those areas were declared by the national government as “no build zones.”
Mayor Mary Grace Arceo said they have 11 hectares being eyed as a relocation site in Sitio Acacia, Barangay Gargato in Hinigaran, for the more than 200 families living in “no build zones.”
A one-hectare property that has been donated in Moises Padilla is being targeted as a relocation site for more than 300 homeless families in the town.
Thirteen schools were destroyed by the typhoon, while 1,070 classrooms needed repairs, excluding 24,779 damaged armchairs, according to reports of the Schools Division of Negros Occidental, as of Nov. 13.
Seven learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel died, nine were reported as missing, while 767 were injured, a report of the Negros Occidental Schools Division further stated.*
