• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday, Sept. 18, that the province is studying if a state of calamity can already be declared in the entire Negros Occidental.
This was stated by Lacson during an interview on the sidelines of the opening of the 38th Negros Trade Fair held at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center in Makati City.
Aside from San Enrique, which declared a state of calamity on Monday, Hinigaran and La Carlota City were also placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday.
As of 6 p.m. of Sept. 18, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported that about 43,764 families, composed of 157,077 persons, in 241 barangays of 25 cities and municipalities have been affected by the bad weather.
“What is important help is reaching these local government units (LGUs),” Lacson said, stressing the concerted effort of the affected LGUs, provincial government and regional offices in providing assistance.
Of the affected Negrenses, the PDRRMC reported that 8,805 families, composed of 36,638 persons, are now staying in evacuation centers, on top of the 609 families, comprising 1,963 persons, staying in other shelters.
PDRRM officer Irene Bel Ploteña said that they are assessing the situation in Negros Occidental, if it fits the criteria set by the national government for a state of calamity declaration.
The Office Civil Defense (OCD)-Western Visayas reported three fatalities in Negros Occidental, including the two minors, who drowned in the cities of Bacolod and Sipalay, and a 67-year-old man in Hinobaan.
Damage to crops, livestock and fisheries rose to P35.991 million.
OCD-6 Regional Director Raul Fernandez called on those staying in hazard-prone areas to voluntarily evacuate when necessary so that responders will not get overwhelmed.
“We are advising the public to be vigilant, always listen to advisories, and cooperate for their safety and the safety of our rescuers and responders since their life is also at stake,” he said.
Fernandez said that the response cluster of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is ready to provide the immediate needs of affected families in the worst-hit areas in Antique and Negros Occidental. | GB
