• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The combined effects of southwest monsoon and three successive storms in Negros Island Region led to the destruction of P97.265 million worth of agricultural crops and P88.713 million in damage to school facilities.
In a report dated July 29, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) pegged the total damage to both agricultural crops and classrooms at P186.338 million.
The flooding in 208 barangays of 14 local government units in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental affected 149,795 families or 188,498 individuals.
Donato Sermeno III, regional director of Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, said three fatalities were confirmed, not six since the electrocution incident in Hinobaan, where two persons died, and the death of a fisherman in Sagay City were not related to effects of the recent weather disturbances.
RDRRMC records showed three separate drowning incidents in Himamaylan City and Binalbagan were three persons died.
A least 53 houses were destroyed while 454 others were partially damaged, the report said.
According to the report, P32.873 million in total assistance have been extended to the flood victims.
Following the state of calamity declaration in Negros Occidental, the Department of Trade and Industry imposed a price freeze on basic necessities until Sept. 22 unless lifted earlier.
Sermeno said that while there are still internally displaced persons staying at the evacuation centers in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, they are no longer staying in the classrooms.
“They are temporarily staying in the school grounds. They are allowed to utilize classrooms only during heavy rains,” he added. | GB
