ENGR. Jernie Rondin discusses the extent of damage of tropical cyclone ‘Crising’ in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental during a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) emergency meeting led by Mayor Emmanuel Aranda on Tuesday, July 22. (Photo via LDRRM Binalbagan FB)
BACOLOD CITY – The municipality of Binalbagan in Negros Occidental is eyeing a state of calamity after flooding caused by tropical cyclone “Crising” and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” displaced 41,597 residents.
A Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council emergency meeting was held on Tuesday, July 22, at the town Convention Hall led by chairman Mayor Emmanuel Aranda to discuss the extent of Crising’s damage.
LDRRM head Engr. Jernie Rondin presented the incident report, showing 9,751 families affected, with two casualties. Rondin also reported that three areas experienced landslides, with four houses damaged.
Rondin said 18.4 hectares of corn and 37.93 hectares of rice were damaged. High value crops incurred P1.2 million in damage, fisheries, P1.1 million, and livestock, P106,810.51.
Assessment of infrastructure damage is ongoing. A total of 737 responses had been received by the LDRRMO.
The LDRRM Council issued a resolution recommending the declaration of a state of calamity to the Sangguniang Bayan, pursuant to guidelines issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
During a post-assessment conducted in Barangay Canmoros on Wednesday, July 23, Rondin shared a proposal for the urgent construction of a sluice gate in two different drainage outlets.
This was identified as one of the contributing factors that caused flooding when the water level from Binalbagan River reaches critical level and increases during high tide.
Preparation for a detailed engineering design is underway for urgent implementation and as part of the mitigation program of the DRRM.