By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) said 32,670 Negrenses were affected by the bad weather conditions due to the enhanced southwest monsoon brought by Super Typhoon “Egay.”
Data from the PDMPD yesterday showed 125 barangays in the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Sagay, Silay, and Sipalay, and in the towns of Cauayan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, and Valladolid were affected by heavy rains and floods.
Only 1,136 individuals have been staying in various evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the Sagay City government reported yesterday morning that they evacuated several families due to the incessant rains caused by the southwest monsoon on Tuesday afternoon, July 25.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that one house was destroyed, while two others suffered extensive damage in Barangays Old Sagay, Poblacion 2, Tadlong, and Puey.
A total of 10 families or 46 individuals are affected in the said villages.
Seven families spent the night at the Hautea Elementary School in Tadlong, and they were allowed to return home yesterday morning.
Sagay Mayor Narciso Javelosa, Jr. reminded Sagaynons to be vigilant and prepare emergency kits to keep their families safe amid the threat of the storm.
More than 100 houses were also damaged in Cadiz, Silay, San Enrique, Pontevedra, and Hinoba-an.
Chiqui Gonzales, officer of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said they currently have 1,600 family food packs prepared for the affected individuals in the province.
Gonzales clarified that priority will be given to the affected residents staying in evacuation centers.
However, they will not neglect families who choose to stay in their homes as they were affected by the heavy rain and flood.
She also emphasized the importance of pre-emptive evacuations and continuous monitoring of local government units in need of assistance.
The PSWDO collaborates with the PDMPD and emergency response teams in the province.
In Bacolod City, 4,520 individuals stayed at 25 evacuation centers in 16 barangays, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said.
Sixteen villages in the city were affected by widespread floods, including Alijis, Cabug, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang, Sum-ag, Taculing, Tangub, 2, 27, 31, 35, 36, 39, and 41.
The accumulated rainfall in Bacolod was 28.7 millimeters, equivalent to rainfall in three to five days./With reports from PNA / DGB, WDJ