Negros Occidental placed under state of calamity due to ‘Odette’

BACOLOD CITY––Negros Occidental is under a state of calamity after the devastation brought by Typhoon “Odette” that left 38 people dead and destroyed P5.9 billion worth of property, infrastructure, and livestock.

Negros Occidental Gov. Jose Lacson issued Executive Order No. 21-39 that placed the entire province under a state of calamity.

Under the EO, the provincial board was asked to approve a resolution for the release of a portion of the calamity fund to extend immediate assistance to those affected by Odette.

It also called on the provincial board to pass a resolution that would mandate a price freeze on basic and prime commodities to curb any sharp increases in prices and the hoarding of goods.

The executive order, which took effect immediately, would be lifted upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

The devastation by Odette reached P5.9 billion, said Lacson.

The worst hit was agriculture, with at least P4.4 billion worth of crops destroyed.

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