Negros Occidental town declares state of calamity amid flooding

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The municipality of San Enrique in Negros Occidental has been placed under a state of calamity following severe flooding caused by the southwest monsoon, intensified by tropical storm Ferdie.

San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara confirmed that all 10 barangays in the town were submerged, affecting thousands of residents.

“This is worse than the flooding last time,” Tubillara said, noting that coastal areas were also battered by strong winds and large waves.

The Municipal Council unanimously approved the declaration during a special session on Monday, allowing the town to access its Quick Response Fund to provide relief and repair damaged infrastructure.

The flooding has impacted 9,262 families, or 29,823 individuals, with 869 families forced to evacuate.

The council’s resolution emphasized the necessity of declaring a state of calamity to mobilize resources and assist the affected population, citing Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Tubillara added that authorities are still evaluating the damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that as of Sept. 17, a total of 27,421 families, or 91,046 individuals, across 153 barangays in 23 municipalities in Negros Occidental have been affected by the weather disturbances.

Many of them remain in evacuation centers, while others have taken shelter elsewhere.

Additionally, the PDRRMC recorded 11 flooded areas, eight landslides, and two incidents of fallen trees, with six roads and three bridges rendered impassable.

The damage extended to 130 homes, with nine completely destroyed and 121 partially damaged.

Agricultural Damage

The storms also wreaked havoc on local agriculture, with rice and corn crops in 60 barangays suffering P19.4 million in damage.

Fisheries in six barangays were affected, with losses amounting to P424,362. Livestock damage in 32 villages was valued at P699,720.

Rescue Efforts and Casualties

Among the incidents reported during the storm was the rescue of two fishermen whose boat capsized off Barangay Tagda in Hinigaran.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded and found the men clinging to their overturned boat about 100 meters from shore.

Both fishermen were rescued unharmed and underwent medical checks before returning home.

Tragically, a 69-year-old man in Hinoba-an was found dead along the shoreline of Barangay Bulwangan.

Authorities believe he was swept away by flash floods while attempting to cross a river after a drinking session with friends.

Evacuations in Bacolod

In Bacolod City, nearly 400 families were displaced due to flooding in nine barangays. While most evacuees have returned home, a few families remain in evacuation centers.

The flooding damaged 29 homes in the city, six of which were completely destroyed.

To ensure public safety, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez extended the suspension of face-to-face classes in both public and private schools from preschool to senior high school on Sept. 17 and 18.

Schools were encouraged to implement alternative learning methods, such as asynchronous classes.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the affected areas.