3rd Negros city declares state of calamity

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Another city in Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity yesterday following recent flashfloods that hit eight cities and towns in the province.

Silay City joined Talisay and Victorias on the list of areas placed under a state of calamity due to floods that destroyed several infrastructure projects.

The city disaster risk reduction and management office reported that nine bridges were destroyed in the flashfloods that occurred on Jan. 8.

Silay City Mayor Mark Golez reported that 4,956 families, composed of 15,671 people from 16 barangays, remain in evacuation centers.

As this developed, Malacañang assured communities affected by floodings in the Bicol region and Western Visayas of assistance.

Citing reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said there were 4,207 families staying in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental and nine more in Camarines Sur.

Some roads and bridges in Silay and Talisay remained impassable to motorists.

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. advised the 121 flood-affected families in Barangay Daga to remain in evacuation centers as intermittent heavy rains still prevail.

Other areas that were submerged were EB Magalona and Escalante City.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office has yet to receive reports from Sagay City and Manapla, and determine the amounts of damage to crops, infrastructure, fisheries and livestock.

Local officials in Sagay City said 13 barangays in the area were affected by the floods that swelled the Himogaan River in the villages of Fabrica and Paraiso, forcing families living along the banks to evacuate to higher ground.

The NDRRMC said over 37,000 people were displaced in the widespread flooding in Western Visayas.

The declaration of a state of calamity will speed up the release of calamity funds to affected local government units. – Alexis Romero, Romina Cabrera