• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR. / THERESA MAE DULMAN
Due to the effects on life, crops, and infrastructure brought by the onslaught of typhoon Tino in the province of Negros Occidental, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) confirmed yesterday that the recommendation for the declaration of a state of calamity in the province was unanimously approved.
Based on records, the flash floods and strong winds caused by Typhoon Tino directly affected all 31 local government units of the province, comprising 375 barangays with 39,102 affected families, or 134,718 Negrenses.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday that the recommendation was not approved on Wednesday because there was no work for the local government. However, as government work resumed, the declaration was immediately submitted to the SP, which approved the declaration.
“The process is simple; the governor is just recommending, and it is the SP to approve,” he said.
Meanwhile, after the SP session, Board Member Andrew Montelibano disclosed to the media that the recommendation passed by the governor was unanimously approved by the members, placing the whole province under a state of calamity.
Prior to the declaration by the province, three LGUs that were severely affected by the typhoon had already declared a state of calamity. They include La Carlota City, La Castellana, and Toboso.
First to declare on Tuesday was Toboso town, which sustained widespread damage severely affecting the community. Based on the data by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 10 barangays in the town, or about 3,630 individuals, were affected by flash floods and strong winds. Most were evacuated.
Meanwhile, according to the Office of the Civil Defense Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) Director Donato Sermeno III, the City of La Carlota and the town of La Castellana were also placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday.
The OCD-NIR reported yesterday that a muddy stream flow was reported in Barangay Biak-na-Bato in La Castellana. This caused damage to infrastructure and claimed at least 12 lives, based on PDRRMO data.
A ceiling-high flood was recorded in La Carlota and Moises Padilla, while neck-high flooding occurred in Pontevedra, OCD-NIR confirmed.
BACOLOD CITY
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has formally declared a State of Calamity, effective immediately, following the severe impact of Typhoon Tino.
Acting Vice-Mayor Caesar Distrito said that the State of Calamity declaration immediately unlocks emergency funds and imposes a mandated price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities throughout the city to prevent price manipulation and hoarding during the recovery period.
Distrito added that penalties can be imposed to business owners that are overcharging, such as fines, imprisonment, administrative case, and criminal liability.
The city can also revoke their business permit for the violation of the price control law on the basis of the declaration of the state of calamity.
Councilor Dindo Ramos stated that the declaration immediately unlocks the 30 percent Quick Response Fund portion of the 5 percent calamity funds for both barangays and the local government.
The local government can also access its Trust Fund, all to accelerate relief and recovery efforts.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) stated that all 61 barangays were severely affected, with 7,895 families, consisting of more than 27,401 individuals, evacuated.
Based on reports, 87.01 percent of the total customers of Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) experienced a total blackout of more than 24 hours.
Mayor Greg Gasataya stated that NEPC has assured that electricity will be fully restored by today, November 7.
Meanwhile, 40.20 percent of BACIWA-Prime Water consumers suffered a decrease in water supply.
The Emergency Operations Center reported that 266 houses were totally destroyed and 2,028 partially damaged.
The request of Gasataya to declare a state of calamity based on the recommendation of the CDRRMO was unanimously approved through a resolution during a special session yesterday.*
