Negros mayors sign MOA for PHP 50-M typhoon aid

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Six local chief executives from Negros Occidental have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the release of PHP 50 million in financial aid from Malacañang, allocated for areas devastated by Typhoon Tino in November 2025.

The ceremonial MOA signing was held Thursday at the Office of the Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, with provincial officials and local leaders present to process the fund distribution in batches.

In the first group, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, Isabela Mayor Miguel Yulo, and Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso affixed their signatures. They were followed by Bago City Mayor Marina Mayette Javellana and La Castellana Mayor An̈ejo Nicor who completed the set of in-person signatories.

The remaining two LGUs—La Carlota City and Hinigaran—are scheduled to finalize their agreements in separate sessions later this week, which will complete the provincial documentation process required to disburse the funds.

The fund distribution reflects the scale of destruction caused by Typhoon Tino, with Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and La Carlota City each receiving PHP 10 million. Bago City, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan will each receive PHP 5 million, while Isabela and Pontevedra are allocated PHP 2.5 million apiece.

According to provincial officials, the PHP 50 million assistance from the Office of the President is designated to support housing rehabilitation, infrastructure repair, livelihood recovery, and other urgent recovery needs of typhoon-affected communities.

Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo, who was accompanied by her husband, Vice Mayor Pimpoy Yulo, expressed appreciation for the support.

“We are thankful to Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Administrator Rayfrando Diaz for facilitating the completion of the MOA process,” she said.

Moises Padilla was among the worst-hit areas in the province during Typhoon Tino’s onslaught, prompting heightened recovery efforts.

The assistance package was approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following a damage assessment of Negros Occidental.

The President previously visited Moises Padilla and La Castellana to personally inspect the affected communities.

The provincial government worked closely with national agencies and local LGUs to ensure the efficient and transparent disbursement of funds.

Local officials welcomed the aid, emphasizing its importance in helping communities rebuild and prepare for future extreme weather events.