BACOLOD CITY , Philippines– Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity after massive floods and landslides, triggered by four days of heavy rains, displaced about 80,000 people in four cities and five towns and left P56 million in damage to crops, fisheries, livestock and infrastructure.
Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial board unanimously adopted a resolution on the state of calamity of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Last Monday, the council, headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., passed the resolution asking the board to make the declaration and recommending the use of its 30-percent Quick Response Fund for 2013, equivalent to P28.7 million, to help the affected local governments.
Three of the hardest-hit areas – Ilog, Hinobaan and Sipalay – have declared a state of calamity.
In Negros Oriental, Bayawan City reported P50-million losses in crops, livestock, and fisheries and damage to infrastructure. It, too, was placed under a state of calamity.