By CESAR JOLITO III

The combined effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat and Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” have left P44.5 million worth of agricultural losses and infrastructure damage in the Negros Island Region (NIR), data from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) showed.

Negros Occidental bore the brunt, with P17.2 million worth of damage to agriculture, affecting 1,784 farmers and fisherfolk.

RDRRMC recorded losses to more than 1,300 metric tons of crops, with rice farms incurring P11.64 million in damage; high-value crops, P1.45 million; and corn, P371,575.

Authorities also reported significant losses to livestock, amounting to P2.37 million, while fisheries accounted for damages worth P1.36 million.

The severe flooding due to torrential rain also affected 349 houses, where 41 were totally damaged and 308 partially damaged.

Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure, agricultural crops, fisheries, and livestock amounting to P29.5 million was recorded in Negros Occidental’s Moises Padilla town, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).

Reynald Horegue, MDRRMO head, reported P21.5 million in damage to road projects, excluding the two overflowed spillways, and P4.5 million in losses to agricultural crops, fisheries and livestock as well.

Response teams have been deployed to restore accessibility on previously impassable roads in the towns of Ilog, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Isabela, and Candoni.

All affected road sections have since been cleared for heavy vehicle passage.

Clearing operations continue on national roads, particularly in areas that experienced severe flooding and landslides.

Meanwhile, RDRRMC data showed 47,444 families or 178,781 individuals in 201 barangays have experienced flooding due to torrential rains since July 17.

While floodwaters in most of Negros Occidental have subsided, five evacuation centers remain operational, housing at least 53 people.

Classes and government work were suspended in the entire Negros Occidental and 25 areas in Negros Oriental yesterday.

Authorities also continue to monitor lahar risks from Kanlaon Volcano following recent eruptions.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units have mobilized P22.58 million in assistance for impacted families.

P1.9-M food aid 

The Negros Occidental provincial government has distributed over P1.9 million worth of food assistance to families displaced by heavy rains brought by habagat and “Crising.”

Chiqui Gonzales, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said at least 3,200 evacuated families received food packs during the relief operations.

Gonzales confirmed that the aid distribution for those affected by “Crising” has already concluded.

However, the PSWDO continues to prepare additional food packs in anticipation of potential evacuations due to upcoming weather disturbances, including Tropical Storm “Dante” and Tropical Depression “Emong.”

The provincial government has been on heightened alert as the southwest monsoon, intensified by these weather disturbances, is expected to bring continuous rains and possible flooding in low-lying and coastal areas of the province./CJ, WDJ