BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Health Office has dispatched doctors and nurses to check on the health conditions of displaced residents of Brgy. Carabalan, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, now staying in evacuation centers, disclosed Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz yesterday.
Diaz said PHO personnel will also check water sources to avoid water borne diseases as well.
As of October 10, a total 3,543 families displaced by the ongoing military operations in their respective areas, are now staying in seven evacuation centers in Himamaylan City, taken care of by the local government of Himamaylan City, with support from the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Diaz also said that the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also deployed its social workers in Himamaylan City, to help facilitate in the distribution of relief goods.
The entire Himamaylan City has been placed under state of calamity by its officials because of the mass evacuation of its residents and series of armed skirmishes between state security forces and the New People’s Army.
“We are hoping and praying that clashes between the AFP and the NPA will soon come to an end, so that the people may be able to return to their respective homes”, Diaz said.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, president of the Association of Chief Executives – Negros, also said that he will meet Negros Occidental mayors to discuss what help they could extend to affected residents in Himamaylan City.
In her report submitted to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer Merle Garcia said that of the displaced families, 3,061 are residents of Brgy, Carabalan, 454 in Brgy. Cabadiangan and 28 in Brgy. 3, all in Himamaylan City.
The Himamaylan City government has put up 14 evacuation centers to accommodate the residents fleeing from the conflict areas.
Garcia said the DSWD regional office is coordinating with its local counterpart “for the immediate relief assistance to the affected families and persons since they cannot leave their houses.”
“The assistance will be distributed once the Armed Forces have cleared venues for distribution,” Garcia said.
On the other hand, Diaz said he was informed that PSWDO has still enough supplies to cover the basic needs of displaced residents.*
