By CESAR JOLITO III
National government officials led by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Education Secretary Sonny Angara arrived in Negros Occidental yesterday to assess the extent of devastation left by Typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” and to coordinate the ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts across the province.
Representing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Frasco and Angara attended a situation briefing at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol, presided over by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The briefing included an executive report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), detailing “Tino’s” widespread impact across 547 barangays in Negros Occidental.
According to the PDRRMC Executive Brief, “Tino” left 661,900 individuals affected.
Nearly 7,876 houses were totally destroyed and 49,382 partially damaged, while damage to infrastructure and agriculture reached alarming levels — P427.9 million for infrastructure and P22.5 million for fisheries.
Meanwhile, the typhoon damaged P155 million worth of crops and livestock, as reported by the Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region.
Among the hardest-hit were the cities of La Carlota and Bago, as well as Moises Padilla and La Castellana, which recorded the highest number of casualties and extensive property damage.
Frasco emphasized that their visit was made under the direct instruction of the President to ensure that immediate and sustained assistance reaches all affected areas.
“We were sent by the President to provide whatever assistance is needed by the LGUs and the people of Negros Occidental affected by the recent typhoons,” Frasco said.
She added that the national government will coordinate with local authorities to deliver continued relief operations and medium-term recovery support, including infrastructure and housing rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Angara said the Department of Education is addressing the needs of schools severely impacted by the typhoons.
The secretary confirmed that 10 classrooms were totally damaged in the affected areas.
“We brought equipment because that’s what the schools requested, especially since many lost internet connectivity,” Angara said.
At least 30 units of electronic equipment will help restore digital learning access.
Lacson said ongoing efforts will focus on recovery, particularly in restoring livelihoods and essential services for displaced families.
Following the briefing, Frasco and Angara conducted site visits in Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and La Carlota, where they met with local leaders and residents to assess the situation firsthand.
The provincial government continues to conduct verification and validation of damage reports, emphasizing that figures may still change as assessments in remote areas continue./CJ, WDJ
Caption
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson visited the areas affected by Typhoon “Tino” in the municipalities of La Castellana and Moises Padilla on Monday, November 10, 2025. He was joined by La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor and Vice Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan in inspecting the impassable bridges damaged by the typhoon in Taytay Bungahin, Taytay Taborda-Igpanulong, and Sitio 92. (Negros Occidental provincial government photo)