• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of four local government units in Negros Occidental have declared states of calamities, due to the damage left behind by the enhanced southwest monsoon in their respective areas.
The municipality of Valladolid joined San Enrique and Hinigaran towns, as well as La Carlota City, in placing their respective areas under a state of calamity, as recommended by their disaster risk reduction management councils, and concurred by respective municipal and city councils.
Damage to the agriculture sector, including livestock and fisheries, caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) that was enhanced by Tropical Storms Ferdie and Helen as well Tropical Depression Gener, has reached P149.738 million in Negros Occidental, as of September 20, based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
PDRRM Officer Irene Bel Ploteña reported P146.184 million in losses to agricultural crops, P1.781 million to fisheries and P1.772 million to livestock, as of Sept. 20.
Affected by last week’s inclement weather were 203,091 persons in 259 barangays of 25 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.
However, the majority of the more than 10,206 individuals staying inside evacuation centers and other shelters have already returned to their respective homes.
Forty-five houses were destroyed while 733 were reported partially damaged, with two casualties recorded by the PDRRMC.*