Houses ruined now 234

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  - From the initial number of 97 houses reported damaged or destroyed by tornado, which struck Hinigaran and Pontevedra towns in Negros Occidental last Tuesday, authorities yesterday said the number has risen to 234.

Provincial social welfare officer Liane Garcia reported yesterday morning that the number of damaged houses increased after the office completed its assessment of destruction in the two municipalities.

The PSWO report said that, in Pontevedra, 27 houses were totally damaged and 89 partially damaged in six barangays, while in Hinigaran, 40 houses were totally damaged and 78 were partially damaged in five barangays.

Four children (aged one to 14), one of them a girl, were injured in Brgy. San Isidro of Pontevedra, the report said.

The one injured in Hinigaran was Renjie Mirano, 26, a cock farm caretaker who was hit by flying debris, and is now confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in this city.

The Negros Occidental provincial government, Hinigaran and Pontevedra LGUs, the Philippine National Red Cross, DSWD and the St. Vincent's Home for the Aged have extended assistance to the affected families since Tuesday, the report added.

Garcia said the "bayanihan spirit" is alive in the devastated areas where residents are helping one another restore their houses using the salvaged materials.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. said the provincial government has provided the victims with food and has readied housing assistance of P5,000 for totally damaged houses and P3,000 for partially damaged houses.

Pontevedra Mayor Jose Ma. Alonso said the LGU will give P3,000 cash assistance for totally damaged houses and P1,500 for partially damaged houses.

Hinigaran Mayor Hermilo Aguilar said food and housing assistance have been given to affected residents of his town. (FREEMAN)