By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) yesterday announced they would be extending financial assistance to city residents who were affected by the flooding that inundated the city last week.
According to DSSD head Pacita Tero, those with homes that were completely destroyed will receive P10,000, while those with partially-damaged homes get P5,000.
She noted, the scale is the same for recipients of fire assistance.
Based on a tally by DSSD, as of last week, 103 homes were heavily damaged, while 215 were partially damaged. In addition, the total number of affected city residents comes to 9,716.
Tero confirmed the funds have already been processed and it is left to the flood victims themselves to process all necessary requirements.
Last week, a low pressure area and southwest monsoon caused major downpours in Bacolod City and throughout Negros Occidental, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes due to heavy flooding.
The flooding also caused massive traffic pileups in Bacolod City, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded./WDJ