- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The City of Bacolod is now under a state of calamity following massive flooding that affected 33 of its 61 barangays due to the enhanced southwest monsoon and Typhoon “Goring”.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved this afternoon, Aug. 30, the urgent request of Mayor Alfredo Benitez to declare Bacolod under a state of calamity as per recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDMMRC).
Benitez, who is also the CDRRMC chairperson, said the massive flooding started Aug. 28 and continues to persist…and posed additional hazards to displaced families from barangays 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, 18, 21, 29, 30, 35, 36, 39, 40, Alijis, Banago, Bata, Cabug, Estefania, Felisa, Handumanan, Mandalagan, Mansilingan, Montevista, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Taculing, Tangub, and Vista Alegre.
The Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that the massive flooding due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Goring” affected 3,998 families, or 12,868 individuals, as of 12 noon today, Aug. 30.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the SP Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Good Government, said the declaration of a state of calamity was so that the city could use its calamity funds to assist the affected Bacolodnons.
The SP approved an appropriation of P19.5 million, to be sourced from the 2022 and 2023 surplus; and also ratified two resolutions from the CDRRMC, realigning a total of P24 million as immediate relief assistance, including food, nonfood, medicine, and other relief goods.
Espino said the Department of Social Services and Development is in charge of profiling and validating the number of affected Bacolodnons, who will receive the assistance from the city once all procedures are met./CGC
