The Bacolod City Government will deploy Job Order (JO) personnel from various departments to bolster and expedite clearing operations tomorrow across the city following Typhoon Tino, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered the deployment during a coordination meeting with department heads as part of the city’s ongoing post-typhoon recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
“What we are looking into is how more can the city help in fast-tracking the clearing operations that are currently ongoing, most especially on the interior roads and subdivisions,” Gasataya said.
The JOs will assist in removing manageable obstructions, such as fallen branches, debris, and blocked access points in affected barangays. This effort complements the ongoing work of the City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), and other concerned agencies.
To ensure coordinated and efficient operations, the City has organized eight inter-departmental clearing clusters composed of personnel from various offices. These include representatives from the City Administrator’s Office, City Legal Office, City Engineer’s Office, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), City Health Office (CHO), General Services Office (GSO), Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), and several other departments and partner agencies.
Each cluster is assigned to specific areas to clear debris, remove fallen trees, and restore safe access to public roads and facilities throughout Bacolod City.
As of the latest report, the typhoon uprooted 278 trees, and 29,000 residents sought shelter in evacuation centers during the storm’s peak. The Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) has restored 80 percent of electricity, while PrimeWater reports 70 percent restoration of its services.
On Wednesday night, the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) recommended declaring a State of Calamity, which the Mayor endorsed to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to allow a price freeze and the release of emergency funds for affected barangays and displaced families.
Gasataya expressed gratitude to frontliners, barangay officials, and partner agencies for their continuous dedication to ensuring the city’s swift recovery.
“We are maximizing every available manpower to make sure Bacolod recovers faster. Our Job Order personnel play a vital role in ensuring that every street, every barangay, and every public space is cleared and safe,” he added.
The City Government urges residents to remain cautious and report any remaining hazards or debris through their barangay offices or the EOC hotlines as citywide restoration and clearing efforts continue.*
