Tornado wrecks 17 houses in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Tornado struck at two barangays of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, and damaged 17 houses and a school.

No one was hurt, however, and there was no evacuation of affected residents of Barangays Cabanbanan and Nabali-an in Himamaylan City, according to Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon.

Bascon said the affected residents were immediately given food assistance by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Last month, tornado also struck several barangays in Valladolid town, and the cities of Bago and La Carlota, also in Negros Occidental, and caused damage to 49 houses.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said there is now a need for everyone to be prepared “like good Boy Scouts.”

While a 6.5-magnitude earthquake killed three people and injured at least 72 others in Leyte, the tremor in Negros Occidental was mildly felt, and was spared from any damage, Marañon said.

“I still believe prayers are the best preparation,” the governor said, noting that Negros Occidental has been spared from major disasters in recent years.

While preparations for disasters are being put in place, Marañon said resources are often not enough because there are also other priorities that must be attended to. “The spirit is willing, but the pocket is very weak,” he said, in stressing the importance of prayers to ward off disasters. (FREEMAN)