BACOLOD CITY—A state of calamity has been declared in Negros Occidental following massive floods in the province.
The provincial board passed a motion filed by Board Member Pedro Zayco, chair of the committee on natural disasters and calamities, asking the board to adopt a recommendation to declare a state of calamity made by the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council.
The board also approved the use of 30 percent in so-called quick reaction funds of the disaster council for this year, which is equivalent to P28.7 million, to help local government units reeling from the effects of the floods.
Zayco reported that 15 of the 32 towns and cities in the province were inundated by floods caused by monsoon rains Oct. 3 to 5.
These are the cities of Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota and Sipalay and the towns of Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Binalbagan, Cauayan, Ilog, Candoni, Hinobaan, Salvador Benedicto, San Enrique and La Castellana.
The office of the provincial agriculturist reported that losses in crops, fisheries and infrastructure, especially irrigation systems, reached P74.6 million as of Wednesday.
The floods also displaced 13,568 individuals. At least 49 houses were destroyed while 121 others were damaged.
The monsoon rains also triggered floods in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, which displaced more than 5,000 families who were forced to seek shelter in gymnasiums, barangay (village) halls and schools.
Floodwaters had since receded and only 36 families or 150 persons remained in evacuation centers after losing their homes to the floods.
In Iloilo, a series of landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains have destroyed 11 houses and damaged three others.
A portable water system and portions of a road were also destroyed and a concrete canal damaged, according to a report of the Igbaras municipal disaster risk reduction and management council.
Eleven families, or 54 persons, have been evacuated but no casualties have been reported as of Wednesday.
Most of the damage and affected residents are in Barangay Pasong, Igbaras. The other areas affected include the villages of Cale and Bocolod. With reports from Nestor Burgos Jr. and Alex Pal, Inquirer Visayas