By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The municipality of San Enrique in Negros Occidental has been under a “state of calamity” after the locality was severely affected by floods caused by the southwest monsoon and enhanced by Super Typhoon “Egay.”

Mayor Jilson Tubillara said a large area of the town was flooded last week.

Data from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office showed nine out of the total 10 villages were affected.

At least 19,594 town residents or 5,579 families were affected by floods.

A total of 426 homes were damaged, while 16 were destroyed.

According to Tubillara, the reason why the flood rose quickly on July 26 was because floodwaters from neighboring Murcia town and the cities of La Carlota and Bago flowed through the municipality.

The floodwaters were further exacerbated by high tide.

Tubillara said it was the first time that floodwaters rose drastically, but it quickly receded the same day, thanks to the municipality’s river protection project.

The mayor also lauded the local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for their quick response.

Food packs have since been distributed to the affected residents.

The local government has already assessed the damage./DGB, WDJ