• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The city of La Carlota and the municipality of Hinigaran in Negros Occidental have joined San Enrique town in placing their respective local government units under a state of calamity due to heavy rains and flooding triggered by enhanced southwest monsoon.
La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on and Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo said their respective City and Municipal Councils approved the declaration of a state of calamity during the regular sessions on Wednesday (Sept. 18).
The declaration was recommended by their respective City and Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Councils.
Jalandoon said that they may now use their calamity fund to help their displaced constituents, not only affected by flooding, but also the threat of Mt. Kanlaon eruption.
The mayor also said they initiated a pre-emptive evacuation of residents in four sitios of Barangay Yubo, following the increase in the seismic activity of the volcano.
Arceo said that more than 20,000 residents have been affected by floods in their municipality.
By Wednesday, only about 70 persons are staying in evacuation centers after the other families have already returned home, he added.
In San Enrique, at least 9,262 families or 29,823 individuals have been affected by prolonged rains that resulted in flooding.
Once a state of calamity is declared by a local government unit, it is allowed to disburse its quick response fund, representing 30 percent of its total DRMM fund. | GB
