Six Negros LGUs get PHP 45 million in aid

By Glazyl M. Jopson and Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved an additional PHP 45 million in financial assistance for six local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental hit hardest by Typhoon Tino, bringing the national government’s total support to PHP 95 million.

The amount includes a previous PHP 50-million allocation to the provincial government for disaster response and rehabilitation efforts.

Under the new funding, PHP 10 million each will go to La Carlota City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla, while PHP 5 million each is allotted for Binalbagan, Isabela, and Hinigaran.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara led the inter-agency relief and inspection mission on Nov. 12, representing the Office of the President.

They were accompanied by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and other national and local officials.

Frasco said President Marcos directed them “to ensure that the national government provides all necessary assistance to the local government units and the people, in every way possible, and to maintain a strong presence throughout the recovery period.”

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the typhoon affected 179,092 families or 661,900 individuals in 547 barangays across 31 LGUs in the province.

The latest data showed 14,549 families or 55,003 individuals remained in evacuation centers.

At least 49,382 houses were partially damaged, while 7,876 homes were totally destroyed.

Estimated damage to infrastructure was PHP 427.91 million, while losses in agriculture, fishery, and livestock were valued at PHP 72.54 million, PHP 22.54 million, and PHP 4.06 million, respectively.

The relief team visited flood-hit communities in La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Binalbagan to assess damage and distribute aid.

In La Carlota City, Frasco and Angara met with Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni to discuss the restoration of access roads, power lines, and public facilities, with emphasis on the damage to the city’s agriculture and sugarcane industries.

They also inspected Barangay Roberto S. Benedicto (RSB), one of the hardest-hit areas, to assess typhoon damage to schools and surrounding communities.

In La Castellana, the team inspected the collapsed Buhangin River “Wipe-Out Bridge,” a vital access route to upland barangays, and evaluated flood and lahar risks given the town’s location at the foot of Kanlaon Volcano.

Mayor Alme Añejo Nicor reported that several tourism destinations, including natural spring resorts and mountain retreats, were also damaged.

In Moises Padilla, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo briefed officials on urgent needs, including water supply restoration, infrastructure repairs, and housing support for displaced families.

Frasco confirmed the PHP 10-million assistance for the town and led the distribution of family food packs, learning kits, and hygiene supplies at the Moises Padilla Elementary School evacuation center.

They also visited Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia Sr. National High School, where strong winds and flooding damaged several classrooms.

Angara, representing the Department of Education (DepEd), turned over laptop units and a Starlink internet device from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to support digital connectivity and blended learning.

He said the DepEd continues to assess school infrastructure and coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), DSWD, and LGUs to restore learning continuity.

“Our goal is simple: rebuild quickly, rebuild better, and rebuild safer,” Angara said, stressing the need for temporary classrooms and emergency support for teachers and students.

The relief mission also brought PHP 196,000 worth of medicines and health commodities from the Department of Health (DOH), 100 jerrycans, and 25 shelter-grade tarpaulins from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and USAID.

In Binalbagan, Frasco and Angara joined Mayor Emmanuel Aranda to assess infrastructure damage and distribute Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) aid.

They also visited the severely damaged Barangay Biao Spillway, where clearing and repair operations were underway.

The joint mission reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach to disaster response and its commitment to ensuring no community is left behind in recovery.