• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Damage to the agriculture sector caused by southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Tropical Storms Ferdie and Helen as well Tropical Depression Gener has reached P101.737 million in 121 barangays of Negros Occidental, based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
In an update on Thursday (Sept. 19), the PDRRMC also reported P1.781 million losses in fisheries and P1.421 million in livestock.
Affected by the inclement weather were 55,341 families, composed of 200,782 persons in 256 barangays of 25 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental.
Of the affected individuals, 2,987 families are inside the evacuation centers, while 592 families are staying in other shelters, the report added.
Thirty-four houses were destroyed while 426 were reported to have been partially damaged, with two casualties recorded by the PDRRMC.
States of calamity have been also declared in the municipalities of San Enrique and Hinigaran, and in La Carlota City.
The plan of Kabankalan City government to declare a state of calamity did not push through as it did not meet the criteria or parameters for a declaration, Mayor Benjie Miranda said.
Southwest monsoon or “habagat” will continue to bring rains over Luzon and Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said on Thursday. | GB
