Calamity state up in 3 areas in Negros Occidental

Inquirer file photo

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The legislative boards of two towns and one city in Negros Occidental province placed their localities under a state of calamity following heavy rains and flooding triggered by the southwest monsoon (habagat).

The local councils of La Carlota City and Hinigaran town approved the recommendation of their local chief executives on Wednesday, while San Enrique town was placed in a state of calamity on Monday.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they were still studying if the provincial government would issue a separate declaration placing the province under a state of calamity.

READ: Days of rains trigger flooding in Negros Occidental; child drowns

“What is important now is that help is reaching the affected LGUs (local government units),” he said. “The response is a concerted effort of the town and municipal governments along with the provincial government and regional agencies, especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).”

The DSWD, Lacson said, has a warehouse in Negros Occidental where relief goods have been prepositioned.

The declaration of a state of calamity is necessary to extend relief to affected families and to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure by using 30 percent of a local government’s quick response fund.

Residents affected by heavy rains and flooding in Negros Occidental reached 149,962 as of Wednesday.

Of this number, 33,978 remained in evacuation centers as of Wednesday, said Irene Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head.

Remote learning

In the Western Visayas region, over 2,500 public schools have suspended in-person classes and shifted to the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) for learning due to the heavy rains and to ensure students and school personnel are safe while continuing remote learning, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

“We are monitoring the situation per division and will wait for announcements from the local governments regarding the resumption of in-person classes. This shift is essential to protect our children, especially given the heavy rains and travel risks,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., DepEd regional information officer.

The ADM model allows students to continue their lessons at home, primarily using learning modules. This method ensures that education carries on without the need to extend the academic calendar.

“Our parents need to ensure that their children keep studying because teachers cannot monitor them closely during this time. We are calling on parents to help us educate their children,” Escullar said.

Death toll

Meanwhile, the death toll due to the effects of tropical cyclones Ferdie and Gener and the southwest monsoon has increased to 20, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its latest bulletin on Wednesday.

The NDRRMC said nine fatalities were recorded in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), four each in Western Visayas and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, two in Zamboanga Peninsula, and one in Central Visayas.

Ferdie left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sept. 14, a day after it entered the country, while Gener was out of PAR on Wednesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Wednesday said rains were expected in many parts of the country due to the enhanced southwest monsoon. —with a report from Nestor Corrales