Bacolod City – Following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, damage to infrastructure and losses sustained by the agriculture sector in Negros Occidental has reached more than P382.3 million as of November 7, according to an initial assessment of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
In a report of the PDRRMC, damage to infrastructure in La Castellana, Binalbagan, Bago City, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, including bridges and roads, school buildings, multi-purpose buildings, barangay halls, and health centers were estimated at P347,300,000.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported P28,534,157.43 damage to commodities, including rice, corn and high-value crops, affecting 1,229 farmers tilling almost 1,000 hectares of agricultural crops in 99 affected barangays of 13 local government units of the province.
Rice, in particular, sustained P24,850,445.17 in losses, while high value crops sustained P3,296,030 worth of damage.
Damage to corn was initially valued at P387,682.26, while fisheries posted P6,470,000 worth of losses.
The municipal government of Hinigaran has declared a state of calamity to ensure immediate response, relief, and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by Typhoon Tino.
Other LGUs that declared states of calamities were cities of La Carlota City and Himamaylan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Toboso, along with highly urbanized Bacolod City and the provincial government of Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, who on Thursday met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, personally sought his assistance for the town’s recovery and the emergency repair of the Taytay Intigiwan Bridge, a vital link connecting Moises Padilla to Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, following the devastation brought by Typhoon Tino.
Yulo said the bridge sustained heavy damage during the typhoon, forcing authorities to limit passage to motorcycles and tricycles only, due to safety concerns. She also reported that all the hanging bridges in Moises Padilla were destroyed by the typhoon.
Yulo also reported that about 2,500 evacuees in the town are still occupying evacuation centers. The entire town remains without power, although communication lines have recently been restored in some areas.
The Municipal Agriculture Office reported an initial P10 million in agricultural losses, affecting rice, corn, high-value crops, poultry, and livestock.
An advisory was issued by Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, stating that all vehicles coming from Negros Occidental entering Canlaon City are advised to take the Don Salvador or San Carlos City route, after the Inyawan Bridge was closed for having been deemed unsafe for use. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)
