• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Damage to agricultural crops, fisheries, and livestock in the 15 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, as a result of flooding due to the enhanced southwest monsoon triggered by Super Typhoon Goring, was placed at P115,611,542.81, according to reports of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
The disaster agency also reported that 100,334 people were affected by the flooding. Of the total, some 7,319 individuals are sheltering inside evacuation centers, while 8,871 persons are outside evacuation centers.
The declaration of a state of calamity in the city of Bago is being entertained mayor Nicholas Yulo, due to the damage brought about by flooding.
Bacolod City mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has declared a state of calamity and extended the suspension of classes in all levels in the city on August 31 to September 1.
The inclement weather also led to the postponement of the opening of classes, from August 29 to 31, along with suspension of work in some local government units. Other LGUs will start classes on September 1.
Due to the effects of southwest monsoon, which brought continuous rains, flooding, and landslides in Negros Occidental, acting Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer placed the province under blue alert status.
Three landslide incidents were reported by the PDRRMC, at Purok Kulasi in Brgy. Kumaliskis and Purok Langka in Brgy. Bunga, all in the municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto, as well as in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Sixteen houses were destroyed, while 43 others were reported partially damaged.
Damage to agricultural crops was pegged at P112,994,042.18, fisheries at P1,447,000, and P1,170,500 to livestock, the PDRRMC report added.
In Bacolod City, more than 6,100 individuals were affected by flooding in 14 of its 61 barangays.*
