By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Following last Wednesday’s deadly lightning strike in Barangay Manlocahoc, Sipalay City, several government agencies and private organizations have provided assistance for the victims.
According to Negros Occidental sixth district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, her office has coordinated with the Sipalay City government, along with relevant government agencies, to provide assistance to the families involved in the incident.
Other entities, including the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) and the Technical University of the Philippines Visayas (TUP-Visayas), have donated and pledged financial assistance.
Sipalay City Mayor Oscar Montilla, meanwhile, expressed sadness over the incident, stating the city government assisted in bringing the injured to various hospitals in southern Negros and in Bacolod City.
He noted the city government will also extend burial assistance.
The mayor said they are currently planning to introduce an information campaign on how to avoid lightning strikes.
Based on an article from Ready, a division of the US Department of Homeland Security, it is recommended, during a thunderstorm, it is important to stay away from open fields or hilltops, and to not take refuge under trees.
The site also points out, lightning often strikes the tallest object in the area.
Survivors of the incident earlier stated they sought shelter at a nearby tree after experiencing a sudden downpour while working in a sugarcane field.
The lightning strike killed six people and injured 17 others, one of whom is reportedly still in critical condition at a hospital in Bacolod City./DGB, WDJ
