By CESAR JOLITO III
Recovery operations are far from over even as the majority of evacuees in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City have already returned home following widespread flooding in the locality over the weekend.
In an interview with Watchmen Daily Journal on Saturday, July 19, Kabankalan Mayor Benjie Miranda said about 70 to 80 percent of evacuees from the city’s 10 evacuation sites have gone back to their homes as flooding subsides in most areas.
“We are grateful that the rains have subsided, but our work is not yet done. We need to prepare for long-term recovery,” Miranda said.
The local government unit has mobilized extensive relief operations.
Food packs, clean water, clothing and hygiene kits have been distributed to evacuees and affected households through coordinated efforts involving the local agencies.
Medical teams were also deployed to evacuation centers to assist residents, particularly children and the elderly, who were most vulnerable to cold, infections and water-borne illnesses.
Miranda acknowledged the swift response of local disaster personnel and volunteers, but noted that more support may be needed depending on the final damage assessment.
Meanwhile, Miranda said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) will reconvene to evaluate the situation and determine whether to recommend placing the city under a state of calamity — a move that would expedite access to emergency funds and resources.
“We’re still in the process of assessing the full extent of the damage. The final list of affected households and infrastructure will be completed within the week,” Miranda said.
If a state of calamity is declared, it would allow the city to utilize its calamity fund for reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, provision of livelihood support, and rehabilitation of affected communities.
Binalbagan eyes state of calamity
Binalbagan Mayor Emmanuel Aranda is also set to endorse the declaration of a state of calamity in the municipality.
Arnada said the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will convene and issue a resolution to be endorsed to the Sangguniang Bayan for the declaration of a state of calamity in the town.
As of Saturday morning, July 19, a total of 742 families or 2,913 individuals have been evacuated and are currently staying in 12 different evacuation centers across the municipality.
A locality may declare a state of calamity when any of the following conditions are present:
* At least 15 percent of the population is in need of emergency assistance based on science-based projections
* 30 percent or more of livelihoods in agriculture, business or industry are affected
* Damage to lifeline infrastructure like roads, bridges, power or water systems, or telecommunications that hinders emergency response, paralyzes basic services, or causes disruptions lasting over a week.
* Widespread destruction of crops, livestock or fishponds.
* Disruption of lifelines, including food supply, electricity, transport, water, or health systems, which cannot be restored within a week (or 24 hours for urban areas).
* High incidence of disease outbreaks or other abnormal health-related events.
* Environmental degradation, as certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or the Department of Agriculture
* A recommendation to declare a state of calamity must be approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod before taking effect./CJ, WDJ