• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Residents of southern Negros evacuated due to floods caused by monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Storm Crising have started to return home while the bodies of three persons who drowned at the height of the inclement weather were found yesterday.
The cadavers of a 12-year-old boy and a 44-year-old man were recovered in barangays of Santol and Payao, respectively in Binalbagan, according to local disaster authorities.
A 30 year-old-fisherman, who was reported missing on July 16, was also found dead by two fishermen near the Panal Reef inside the Sagay Marine Reserve in Sagay City.
In a report dated July 20, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that 139 barangays in 18 towns and cities of Negros Occidental experienced flooding, affecting 18,918 families composed of 31,445 individuals.
About 5,570 families sought temporary shelters in various evacuation centers and more than 5,000 stayed with relatives.
Majority of those who stayed in evacuation centers already went home as the floods have subsided in their respective areas.
Kabankalan City and Binalbagan town are expected to declare a state of calamity.
In Binalbagan, 9,671 families were affected by floods in 13 barangays while 1,454 families also experienced flooding in Kabankalan City, PDRRMC records showed.
Agricultural crops losses in Sipalay City were estimated at P1.332 million while in Isabela, P8.653 million.
Livestock losses in Binalbagan, Isabela, Ilog and Kabankalan City reached P361,303.
Damage to two hanging bridges also in Isabela was pegged at P1 million, it added.
The floods destroyed 14 houses and damaged 121 others.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has distributed food packs and water supply to flood victims since July 19.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region also conducted simultaneous relief efforts by distributing family food packs to affected families in southern Negros. | GB
