2 weeks Ago By Ambo Delilan
BACOLOD, Philippines – Negros Occidental has been the hardest-hit by the heavy rain and flooding that have affected six provinces in the Negros Island Region (NIR) and Western Visayas since September 12. The province recorded more than 85,000 evacuees and agricultural losses of at least P16.6 million due to rain and floods caused by the enhanced habagat (southwest monsoon) and Tropical Storm Ferdie (Bebinca), which exited Philippine territory on Saturday, September 14, eight hours after entering.
Tropical Depression Gener made landfall in Palanan, Isabela, on Monday night, September 16, affecting many areas in Luzon. Heavy to intense rains, however, are forecast in Negros Occidental and other parts of the Visayas on Tuesday, September 17, due to the habagat. Data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas showed that as of Monday, Negros Occidental had 85,075 evacuees from 26,832 families, followed by Antique with 54,571 evacuees from 17,212 families.
Although Negros Occidental has been carved out of Western Visayas to form part of the NIR, it remains under the jurisdiction of the DSWD and other national government agencies, which have yet to establish new regional offices in the NIR. Aklan registered 754 evacuees or 155 families, Iloilo had 101 evacuees or 22 families, and Guimaras had 99 evacuees or 33 families. There is no report from Capiz.
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Team (PDRRMT) in Negros Occidental, reported that 130 barangays in 20 towns and cities, mostly in the southern part of the province, have been affected by continuous rain, with flooding still impacting some areas. Among the affected barangays are La Castellana and La Carlota, which are also facing the threat of a possible re-eruption of Kanlaon Volcano . As of Tuesday, some evacuees have returned to their homes, except those in La Castellana and La Carlota, who remain cautious due to fears of further volcanic activity.
Ploteña said Negros Occidental has incurred P16.647 million in initial agricultural damage. In Bacolod City, nine barangays were flooded, affecting 288 families, or 692 people.
Some evacuees are still in evacuation centers across the city. The flooded areas in Bacolod are Barangays 39, Singcang-Airport, Punta Taytay, Alijis, Handumanan, Sum-ag, Cabug, Pahanocoy, and Taculing, according to Rodolfo Jamora Jr., deputy for operations of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).
Raul Fernandez, director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region VI, told Rappler only one area in Antique remained flooded, based on their latest assessment. In Negros Occidental, floods have mostly subsided. Fernandez is currently in Bacolod, leading the Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT) in assessing their next steps in addressing the impacts of the habagat and the ongoing threat from Kanlaon Volcano.
“We are working with the PIMT in Negros Occidental to synchronize our efforts in responding to the additional needs of evacuees, both from the flooding and the volcanic threat, alongside the food packs already distributed by the DSWD,” Fernandez said. OCD in the region confirmed that a four-year-old boy drowned in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod, while a teenager remains missing in Sipalay City. Two barges also ran aground in Sipalay City after being battered by strong winds and heavy rain.
The Philippine Coast Guard’s Southern Negros Occidental Station reported that the two barges, owned by Asian Shipping Company – B/Big Sun and B/Big Job – ran aground while anchored in Campomanes Bay, Sipalay, on Sunday, September 15. Both vessels were carrying limestone ore from Bohol and were en route to Palawan. As of Tuesday morning, the Coast Guard in Sipalay reported that they had successfully removed both barges.
There was no risk of an oil spill since the barges had no fuel. Once the weather improves, the Coast Guard will evaluate how the spilled limestone ore has affected the corals. Campomanes Bay, in Barangay Maricalum, is the largest enclosed body of water in Sipalay and a top diving destination in the country.
It is known for its underwater attractions, including the SS Panay World War II shipwreck, the MS Jojo shipwreck, and the Maasin and Campomanes-Ballo Marine Reserves and Sanctuaries. Meanwhile, the town of San Enrique in Negros Occidental was placed under a state of calamity after the Sangguniang Bayan approved the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC). The town mayor, Jilson Tuvillara, said they have registered more than 30,000 evacuees from 9,200 families.
The local government will use 30% of its quick response fund to assist the evacuees – Rappler.com.
