The Negros Occidental provincial government is studying if a state of calamity can be declared in the province after most local government units (LGUs) have been affected by widespread rains and floods due to monsoon rains.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) is assessing the damages brought by heavy rains in the past three days to declare the province under a state of calamity.

“What’s important is that help is reaching these local government units,” Lacson said.

“That is a concerted effort of the affected LGUs, provincial government and regional offices in providing assistance,” he added.

La Carlota City and the municipalities of Hinigaran and San Enrique were placed under a state of calamity due to intense rain-induced floods.

Meanwhile, PDRRMC data as of 11:00 a.m. yesterday showed 55,341 families or 200,782 individuals from 256 villages in 25 LGUs have been affected by the inclement weather.

A total of 2,987 families, composed of 12,571 persons, are now staying in evacuation centers.

Some 592 families or 1,906 individuals stayed in other shelters, data added.

The total estimated losses in the agricultural sector amounted to P101,737,398.58, with 121 barangays reporting damage to rice, high-value crops and corn.

Fisheries in 15 barangays have also been affected, with damages totaling P1,781,361, while livestock in 172 households have incurred losses amounting to P1,421,309.20./WDJ