BACOLOD CITY – This highly urbanized city was placed under a state of calamity on Thursday, Nov. 6, due to widespread damage from typhoon “Tino” on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The City Council made the declaration following the request of Mayor Greg Gasataya and the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

Gasataya acknowledged that barangays that can no longer sustain the needs of evacuees and the affected families due to depleted funds.

“We need to implement a price freeze, which is essential during a calamity. We also understand the situation of our barangays,” he said.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said 7,895 families or 27,401 individuals were preemptively evacuated, resulting in zero casualties.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reported that 266 houses were totally destroyed and 2,028 partially damaged.

Clearing operations have been completed in 48 of 244 affected areas, enabling the Negros Electric Power Corp. (NEPC) to continue power restoration and repair 65 toppled poles. Massive clearing operations across major roads and barangays are ongoing.

Councilor Dindo Ramos said the declaration will allow barangays to immediately utilize 30 percent of the quick response fund (QRF) from their five percent calamity fund.

In addition, the local government can also access the 30 percent QRF of the five percent calamity fund and Trust Fund to speed up relief and recovery efforts.

Acting Vice Mayor Caesar Distrito said this was the most devastating storm in the past decade. He recalled that the storm surge wiped out several houses on stilts on the coastline of Barangay Singcang-Airport where he was a barangay captain.

Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said the city is preparing long-term support for displaced families. “We are also considering those who were affected outside evacuation centers and need immediate recovery assistance,” she added.

Gasataya urged the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-PrimeWater to intensify efforts to stabilize the water supply and called on telecommunication companies to ensure reliable network connections throughout the city. Water rationing was conducted in some areas with no power and water.

The mayor thanked frontliners, barangay officials, and partner agencies for their coordinated and preemptive measures that ensured residents' safety.

"For whatever it’s worth, we really thank everyone who heeded the call for preemptive evacuation. In my assessment, we really saved a lot of lives," the mayor said.