BACOLOD CITY – The municipality of San Enrique in Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity on Monday, September 16, due to the effects of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by tropical depression “Ferdie.”
A PERSONNEL of the San Enrique Fire Station in Negros Occidental rescues two children from flooding due to heavy rain from the southwest monsoon. (Photo courtesy of San Enrique Fire Station)
Resolution No. 2024-078 unanimously passed by the municipal council during its special session on Monday stated that the town experienced prolonged heavy rains which resulted to flooding that affected 9,262 families or 29,823 individuals with 869 families or 1,945 individuals evacuated as of 10 a.m. of September 15.
The resolution said that the declaration of the municipality under a state of calamity is appropriate and proper in order to extend relief assistance to affected families and to repair or rehabilitate the damaged infrastructures by using the 30 percent Quick Response Fund from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) of the municipality.
This, the resolution said, is pursuant to Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 which empowers the municipal council to enact ordinances and resolutions to safeguard the lives and properties of its constituents during calamities and disasters.
Mayor Jilson Tubillara said that all 10 barangays have been flooded in the past days. “This is even worse than the flooding last time,” Tubillara said, adding that the town was also hit by strong winds.
He said that they are still assessing the cost of damage in agriculture and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard rescued two fishermen after their boat capsized in the sea of Barangay Tagda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental on Tuesday morning, September 17.
Rescued were a 31-year-old man and a 60-year-old man from Barangay Pilar, Hinigaran.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) informed Coast Guard personnel that a fishing boat capsized in the area around 8:15 a.m.
The PCG sighted two fishermen on top of their capsized boat asking for help.
The two fishermen left their house around 5 a.m. Two hours later, they were hit by strong winds and big waves about 100 meters away from the shore of Barangay Tagda.
Both fishermen underwent medical examination and brought home.