Province ‘Not Alone’ in Recovery Efforts With Support of PBBM, Gov’t

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has expressed appreciation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for visiting the areas devastated by Typhoon Tino over the weekend.

Marcos conducted an ocular inspection in the municipalities of Moises Padilla and La Castellana, two of the worst-hit local government units (LGUs) in central Negros.

“The President’s sincerity and resolve to help were evident and were strengthened by the presence of his key Cabinet officials who joined him as he inspected the damage and assessed the needs on the ground,” Lacson said.

In La Castellana, Marcos presided over the situation briefing with the mayors of the affected LGUs.

Also badly hit by the typhoon are Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Isabela and La Carlota City.

“Negros Occidental is hurting from the tragedy brought by Typhoon Tino, but the presence of our President and the support of the national government give us hope that we are not alone in facing the problem,” Lacson said in a social media post.

“Their help and concern give us strength as we try to get back on our feet. We are deeply grateful for this show of genuine concern and national support,” he added.

Data from the provincial government showed Typhoon Tino affected 806,665 persons from 233,437 families in at least 17 LGUs.

Some 13,036 houses were totally damaged or destroyed, while 105,936 others were partially damaged.

An estimated damage and losses of PHP1.85 million to agriculture, fishery, livestock, infrastructures and schools were also reported.

Over the weekend, the national government has already released an initial PHP95 million assistance to Negros Occidental and the six worst-affected LGUs.

These include PHP50 million for the provincial government, PHP10 million each for La Carlota City and the municipalities of La Castellana and Moises Padilla, as well as PHP5 million each for Binalbagan, Hinigaran and Isabela.

In an interview, La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor said he is thankful for the President’s visit that brought more attention to the plight of the town residents who suffered from the devastation of Typhoon Tino.

“As mayor, what happened caused me great sadness, but now the burden has eased as we face this challenge. We had the opportunity to show the President our situation here. This cheered up the affected residents, especially those who lost their homes. Mr. President, thank you for your presence,” Nicor said.

Based on the Nov. 15 briefer submitted by Nicor, La Castellana is sheltering 1,657 families with 5,819 members in 27 evacuation centers.

The central Negros town also reported 3,629 destroyed houses and 6,832 others damaged, and PHP184.6 million in agricultural losses.

“The scale of destruction has exceeded the municipality’s response capacity and immediate national government intervention is urgently needed,” Nicor said in the report, as La Castellana, which is also the worst-hit LGU by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption, continues to cope with the effects of the series of explosive eruptions for more than a year now.* (Nanette Guadalquiver / PNA / PIA Negros Occ. photo)