Typhoon Tino leaves 13 dead, 31 still missing in Negros Occ.

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Thirteen people have been confirmed dead and 31 remain missing in Negros Occidental following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said the figures, pending official confirmation from the Philippine National Police, include four fatalities in La Castellana, three in San Carlos City, three in Bago City, two in Murcia, and one in La Carlota City.

“Two of the victims drowned, one was killed by a falling tree, while the causes of death for the others are still being verified,” Lacson said.

He added that the 31 missing persons include 18 from La Castellana, seven from Bago City, and six from La Carlota City.

“We are hoping there will be no additional deaths and that all the 31 missing will soon be accounted for,” he said, noting that search and rescue operations are ongoing in coordination with local government units and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Lacson said he will consult the Provincial Legal Office to determine whether a new state of calamity should be declared in Negros Occidental.

The province is already under a state of calamity due to the impacts of Typhoon Crising and an ongoing infestation of red-stripe soft scale insects in sugarcane fields.

“Kung may need, I’m sure the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will agree to a declaration. But if there’s no need, we won’t push for it,” he said.

He noted that while some LGUs—particularly La Castellana—have depleted their local disaster budgets, the provincial government will continue to extend assistance.

“The PSWDO is already gathering food packs to be distributed equally to affected LGUs,” Lacson said.

As of November 5, data from the PDRRMO showed that 29 local government units, comprising 375 barangays, were affected by the typhoon.

A total of 30,102 families—or 134,718 individuals—were impacted, with 22 LGUs conducting preemptive evacuations before the storm made landfall.

Lacson said it remains difficult to gather accurate data on infrastructure and agricultural damage due to downed communication lines in several areas.

“At the moment, we have only received a report of around 62 hectares of damaged crops, but the province has a standing crop area of about 16,000 hectares,” he said.

In Negros Oriental, Canlaon City Mayor Batchuk Cardenas reported six confirmed deaths.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City reported zero casualties, according to Mayor Greg Gasataya, who credited preemptive evacuation measures for saving lives.

“Our proactive evacuation helped ensure the safety of residents,” Gasataya said.

Lacson said clearing operations are ongoing in and around the Provincial Capitol grounds, where fallen trees and debris were brought down by strong winds from Typhoon Tino.

“By Friday, we can probably say the area is already clean, but right now, clearing of fallen trees is still ongoing,” he said.

He also said the Capitol is currently running on a generator and that generator sets have been deployed to maintain essential operations.

Lacson suggested temporarily closing the Capitol Lagoon and Park to allow workers to focus on cleanup and recovery efforts.

“I think everyone is busy taking care of their respective areas, so it’s better to close the lagoon for now,” he said.

He added that work at the Capitol will resume Thursday.