By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Heavy rains generated by Tropical Storm “Dante” between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in Negros Occidental have caused more than P3.1 million worth of damages to the province’s infrastructure and agriculture.

Based on the data released by the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, in the town of Hinoba-an at least seven of the locality’s infrastructure which include a day care center, two flood control, a health center, a basketball court, a road, and a bridge were damaged.

The estimated cost of the infrastructure damage in the town is at P518,500.

In Binalbagan town, a box culvert located in Barangay Santol was damaged due to the flood, although they have yet to submit a complete assessment of damage cost in their infrastructure.

A separate report issued by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to the PDMPD also showed that the towns of Binalbagan and Hinoba-an recorded P1,775,040 in damages to their rice fields and other crops.

Cadiz City, meanwhile, submitted its own report showing P872,785.31 in damages to their own crops.

Despite the damages, the PDMPD reported that the province’s lifelines which include roads, power supply, and communications were not affected. And despite the damages in Hinoba-an, the affected road and bridge are still passable to traffic./DGB, WDJ