• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The Province of Negros Oriental is anticipating a year-long rehabilitation period before Canlaon City fully recovers from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Tino.
Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria announced yesterday that the city remains in the recovery phase, citing significant losses in agriculture and infrastructure due to the typhoon.
“It’s progressing and coming back to what it used to be. But I am expecting a year for full recovery,” the governor said.
Sagarbarria disclosed that Canlaon City alone suffered an estimated loss of P5 to P10 million in agriculture, primarily due to the destruction of its high-value crop plantations caused by the typhoon.
The provincial government is seeking additional assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help local farmers recover and to enable them to replant and restore their livelihoods.
“Canlaon is actually the one supplying high value crops to Bacolod and [Negros] Occidental,” he said, raising the urgency of restoring the agricultural sector in the city.
He further explained that the severe flooding was caused by a combination of high water volume and debris blocking the main waterways, which led to water overflowing onto the national highways.
In response, the province immediately launched clearing operations and deployed heavy equipment to clear waterways and ensure that main roads are passable.
“What happened is that there is a bridge nga nag [that] clogged, all the debris, trees and rocks were there so the water extended to the National highways, including rocks the size of cars so grabe grabe ang damage [the damage was significant]. So we have to move all that out in order for the government to bring their goods and assistance to the people,” he explained.
Typhoon Tino claimed approximately 20 lives, with several individuals still missing following the severe flooding that hit Canlaon City.*
