Marcos visits Typhoon-hit Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos visited Negros Occidental yesterday to inspect the areas affected by Typhoon Tino and check on the condition of evacuees.

Marcos went to a flood-hit school and an evacuation center, conducted site inspections and attended a situation briefing during the visit, which sought to assess the needs of affected areas.

His first stop was the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School in Moises Padilla town, whose students and teachers have implemented alternative learning delivery modes as most of its classrooms were submerged by floods.

A total of 1,257 students are enrolled in the school this year.

He also visited displaced residents at the La Castellana Elementary School in La Castellana town. The school serves as a temporary shelter for 1,117 people.

Marcos likewise inspected the Bungahin Steel Bridge in Barangay Robles, also in La Castellana, which collapsed during the height of the typhoon.

He then held a situation briefing at the municipal hall with Cabinet members from the energy, education, health, agriculture, human settlements and social welfare departments and local officials.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the President has allotted P95 million in aid for the recovery of Negros Occidental towns devastated by Tino.

Of the figure, P50 million was allocated for Negros Occidental province; P10 million each for La Carlota City and the municipalities of La Castellana and Moises Padilla and P5 million each for Binalbagan, Isabela and Hinigaran.

About 4.7 million people in nine regions were affected by Tino, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. A total of 250 were reported dead while 111 others remain missing because of the impact of the typhoon.