Tornado hits 2 Negros Occ towns

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A three-minute tornado hit Pontevedra and Hinigaran towns in Negros Occidental Tuesday afternoon, destroying 97 houses in nine barangays, a report from the Provincial Social Welfare Office said.

Provincial Social Welfare Officer Liane Garcia said they are now attending to the needs of the evacuees and other affected families, while financial assistance for the shelters of 97 families are being facilitated.

The local governments of Pontevedra and Hinigaran and the PSWO are helping in the restoration of houses out of the materials that were salvaged yesterday through “bayanihan” system yesterday.

The PSWO have also distributed food and relief goods to the affected families, she said.

In Pontevedra, 73 houses in Brgys. San Isidro, M. H. del Pilar, Miranda, Canroma, and Buenavista Gibong were totally damaged, while in Hinigaran, 19 houses in Brgys. Miranda (Bulubito-on), Gargato, Anahao, and Camba-og, were totally damaged, and five were partially damaged.

Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso said the tornado flattened houses, toppled trees and power lines, plunging his town into darkness Tuesday night.

Residents said it was drizzling when they heard a whizzing sound approaching before a vertically rotating column of air, which was estimated at about 50 meters high, struck, said the mayor.

Residents said it must have lasted only about three minutes, but left devastation in its path. - THE FREEMAN