BACOLOD CITY – Two local government units (LGUs) in the southern part of Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity on Wednesday, September 18, due to the effects of the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
SITIO Culo, Barangay Tagda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental is flooded by heavy rains from the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat.’ (Photo courtesy of Romel Rosales)
In a media interview, La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalando-on said that the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) recommended the declaration of state of calamity due to the number of evacuees affected by flooding and landslides.
Jalando-on said that this will enable them to use standby funds in case the situation escalates. He said that this will also prepare them for the pre-emptive evacuation of residents affected by the recent activity of Kanlaon Volcano.
Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo said that the town was also placed under a state of calamity after almost 20,000 individuals were affected by flooding.
Arceo said that as a result of the current situation, some residents have no source of income. He said the municipal government has extended initial assistance.
The town of San Enrique was the first LGU in the province to declare a state of calamity due to severe flooding and agricultural damage on Monday, September 16.
Evacuation
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that 42,312 families or 149,962 individuals in 229 barangays in 25 localities in the province were affected by the habagat as of 12 p.m., September 18.
The PDRRMC said 8,342 families or 33,978 persons were inside evacuation centers and 609 families or 1,963 persons were staying outside.
Only six areas remain flooded and seven landslide incidents occurred. Eight roads and three bridges were impassable.