Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, and several other local government units have been placed under a state of calamity following the widespread destruction left by Typhoon Tino.
The Negros Occidental provincial board on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 6) approved the recommendation of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to declare the entire province under a state of calamity due to extensive damage to critical and lifeline infrastructure and facilities.
Lacson said the typhoon damaged major roads and bridges, power stations, potable water systems, and telecommunications networks.
There are further reports of widespread devastation to fishponds, crops, poultry, livestock and other agricultural products, he added.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the typhoon affected 134,718 residents across all 31 local government units of Negros Occidental.
The declaration allows the provincial government to utilize its calamity and quick response funds for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. It also enforces a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities.
The Bacolod City Council also declared the city under a state of calamity on Thursday upon the request of Mayor Greg Gasataya and the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
‘We need to implement a price freeze, which is essential during a calamity. We also understand the situation of our barangays whose funds have been depleted and can no longer sustain the needs of evacuees and affected families,’ Gasataya said, noting the necessity of the declaration.
Councilor Dindo Ramos explained that the move will allow barangays to immediately use 30 percent of the quick response fund from their 5 percent calamity fund. The city government can likewise access its own Quick Response Fund and Trust Fund to expedite relief and recovery operations.
Acting Vice Mayor Caesar Distrito said the declaration also enables the city to extend financial aid to families displaced by the typhoon.
‘It was unprecedented,’ Distrito said, recalling how a storm surge destroyed several stilt houses along the coastline of Barangay Singcang-Airport, where he once served as punong barangay.
‘This was the most devastating storm in the past decade,’ Distrito lamented.
According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, at least 7,895 families or 27,401 individuals underwent preemptive evacuation, resulting in zero casualties during the typhoon.
Department of Social Services and Development 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.
The Emergency Operations Center reported that 266 houses were totally destroyed and 2,028 were partially damaged, mostly due to storm surges, strong winds, and falling trees.
Clearing operations have been completed in 48 of 244 affected areas, allowing the Negros Electric Power Corporation (NEPC) to continue power restoration efforts and repair 65 toppled poles. NEPC assured the mayor that electricity would be fully restored by Friday.
The DRRMO, along with BENRO, BFP, CEO, BCPO, the 303rd Infantry Brigade, and private rescue groups, continues massive clearing operations across major roads and barangays.
Mayor Gasataya also urged Bacolod City Water District-PrimeWater to intensify efforts to stabilize the water supply and called on telecommunications companies to ensure reliable network connections throughout the city.