Moises Padilla seeks more aid after PHP 400-M loss

By Dolly Yasa

MOISES PADILLA, Negros Occidental — Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo appealed for continued national assistance as Moises Padilla reels from the destruction caused by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), which left more than PHP 400 million in total damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and homes.

Yulo urged Negrenses — especially those whose families were not directly affected — to help relatives and friends in the devastated town.

“The government cannot handle this alone; the situation is extremely difficult,” she said.

She added that the extent of the damage was “unprecedented,” with more than PHP 300 million in losses from destroyed roads and bridges.

“With bridges destroyed, we are back to using bancas kag balsa,” Yulo said.

She described the situation as a “return to the 1990s,” with livelihoods wiped out, livestock lost, and thousands of homes damaged or swept away.

Around 3,000 residents are currently staying in various evacuation centers across the municipality, while search operations continue for missing individuals.

“It’s heartbreaking that some of the missing have yet to be found,” she said.

One of the missing was recently found in nearby Isabela town.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. committed PHP 10 million in immediate financial assistance for the town’s recovery.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco made the announcement during her November 11 visit with Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

The two were joined by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Fifth District Rep. Dino Yulo, and other regional officials as they assessed damage at key areas, including Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School and Barangay 1 stockyard.

During a Cabinet briefing, Mayor Yulo presented a partial damage report totaling over PHP 400 million, mostly from collapsed roads and bridges, and PHP 14 million in agricultural losses.

Governor Lacson identified Moises Padilla as one of three priority areas for post-typhoon rehabilitation.

Among the approved projects is a PHP 250-million bridge connecting Barangay 1 and Barangay Inolingan, now under validation by the Office of Civil Defense.

Yulo also submitted a request through Secretary Frasco for additional long-term recovery efforts.

These include PHP 500 million for new bridges and spillways in Barangays Montilla, Macagahay, and Odiong.

She also requested PHP 300 million for relocation sites and housing for displaced families.

She asked to utilize the remaining PHP 2.981 million from the Typhoon Odette Contingency Fund for financial housing assistance.

On the same day, Vice President Sara Duterte visited evacuees at Moises Padilla Elementary School, one of the main evacuation sites.

She was welcomed by Mayor Yulo, Vice Mayor Felix Mathias Segundo “Pimpoy” Yulo III, Sangguniang Bayan members, and local DepEd officials.

Before her visit, the Office of the Vice President sent food packs and 100 sacks of rice, with each sack containing five kilos.

Second District Rep. Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III also donated 200 sacks of rice weighing 25 kilos each — or a total of five metric tons — formally received by Mayor Yulo and Vice Mayor Yulo on November 12.

In a show of solidarity, Cadiz City, led by Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., extended aid by donating 20 sacks of rice and 1.2 metric tons of dried fish.

Mayor Yulo and Vice Mayor Yulo expressed gratitude to Rep. Marañon, Mayor Escalante, and the people of Cadiz City for their support.

“The swift and generous response from Cadiz City and our neighboring towns shows the true spirit of unity and compassion in times of crisis,” Yulo said.

As recovery efforts continue, the Municipal Government of Moises Padilla remains determined to secure more funding and national support to rebuild damaged infrastructure and restore livelihoods.

“Our goal is not just to rebuild structures,” Yulo said, “but to rebuild lives.”