The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Silay declared a state of calamity during its regular session yesterday in the wake of two massive floods that submerged the homes of almost half of the city’s population in the past week.
The city council’s approval was based on the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council after a final evaluation of the damage brought by the floods on Jan. 1 and Jan. 8.
Sergie Golez, deputy head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said latest figures in their progress report showed that 16,886 families were affected by the Jan. 8 floods.
He added that the declaration of the state of calamity will mean that they can now utilize the calamity fund for continued food assistance and set aside financial assistance to families whose houses were damaged and destroyed.
Most of the flood victims have not yet put back their belongings due to the light to moderate rains that persisted until yesterday, he said.
A report of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division showed that 48.17 percent of Silay’s population was affected by the floods, indicating that the homes of 16,886 families or 57,029 individuals were flooded by Saturday evening.
“Affected population count ranges from the moment unusual amount of water enters their premises due to the flood event until total damage of residence, regardless the members evacuated or not,” it added.
A total of 867 families or 2,849 persons took shelter in various evacuation centers.
Some 10 roads and bridges were also damaged and destroyed by the floods.
In Barangay Bagtic, the Hacienda Mariano Bridge was destroyed and became impassable while the Hacienda Bagacay Bridge was damaged as well.
Barangay Guimbala-on’s Sangay Bridge was rendered partially impassable and its road barrier was damaged due to a landslide. Ripraps along Magikland to Sitio Cubay road were also destroyed.
The Sitio Marka Road was also left partially impassable due to a landslide.
In Barangay E. Lopez, the Hacienda Napilas 2 Bridge going to Hacienda Violeta was damaged and became impassable while the Hacienda Gaston hanging bridge was also washed out.
The Malisbog Bridge was damaged and passage is limited to light vehicles, while the Barangays Patag-Hawaiian Hanging Bridge 2 was also washed out. – MML
