Negros Occidental gets PHP 665 million in disaster aid

BACOLOD CITY – Eleven local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental affected by Typhoon Tino and the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano are set to receive PHP 665 million in financial assistance from the national government.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson was among the local officials who went to Malacañang on Nov. 5 to receive the financial assistance.

In a media interview, Lacson said the aid would be used to repair infrastructure damaged by the calamities, including roads, bridges, buildings and other facilities, based on the requests of the affected LGUs.

A list sent to Lacson showed that the allocations include PHP 100 million each for Binalbagan for roads and bridges; Bago City for bridges, buildings and facilities; La Carlota City for buildings, facilities, housing, resettlement and education; La Castellana for bridges, agriculture, and local buildings and facilities; and Moises Padilla for the restoration of bridges and the municipal hall.

The assistance also covers Sagay City, with PHP 90 million for buildings and facilities; Isabela, with PHP 40 million for bridges; Cadiz City, with PHP 20 million for health-related interventions; and PHP 5 million each for Himamaylan City for bridges, Don Salvador Benedicto for education, and Murcia for education and health.

The funding is intended to help the affected communities recover from the destruction caused by Typhoon Tino in 2025 and the volcanic activity of Kanlaon, which damaged infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods in parts of Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria was also present during the ceremonial turnover of funds under the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program (DRRAP), led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Nov. 5.

The national government has approved PHP 8.6 billion in assistance for 306 disaster-affected LGUs nationwide to support recovery and rehabilitation efforts following typhoons, earthquakes and Kanlaon Volcano’s eruptions from 2024 to 2026.

Of the total allocation, more than PHP 6 billion has already been released, while another PHP 2.5 billion has been approved and is being distributed to local governments.

The DRRAP provides direct financial assistance to disaster-stricken LGUs, allowing them to identify and prioritize rehabilitation projects based on the specific needs of their communities.

The program covers the rehabilitation of damaged roads, bridges, public buildings and evacuation facilities, as well as the restoration of agriculture, housing, education, health services and livelihoods.

Marcos urged LGUs to use the assistance wisely and ensure that rehabilitation projects directly benefit affected residents.

The President also emphasized transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, warning local officials against corruption, ghost projects, kickbacks and substandard rehabilitation work.