By CESAR JOLITO III
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has approved an additional P45 million in financial assistance for six of the hardest hit local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental by Typhoon “Tino,” bringing total national support for the province to P95 million.
The announcement was made by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during her visit to the province on Tuesday, November 11, where she met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to discuss ongoing rehabilitation and recovery measures.
Under the new allocation, the towns of Moises Padilla and La Castellana, as well as La Carlota City, will each receive P10 million, while the municipalities of Binalbagan, Isabela and Hinigaran will each get P5 million to fund rehabilitation of public infrastructure, livelihood restoration and assistance for affected families.
“This additional support from the President is meant to accelerate rehabilitation and restore essential services in the hardest-hit communities,” Frasco said.
The new funding supplements the P50 million emergency assistance earlier announced by President Marcos following his declaration of a state of national calamity in areas struck by “Tino.”
Frasco, joined by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, also led the ceremonial turnover of family food packs, hygiene kits and family kits from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to affected residents.
The two Cabinet officials likewise conducted on-site inspections of damaged bridges and spillways, which remain vital to reconnecting isolated communities.
According to the DSWD in the Negros Island Region, since November 3 — one day before “Tino” made landfall — over P8.2 million worth of food and non-food assistance has been distributed to affected LGUs, including hygiene kits, sleeping kits and kitchen sets.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II reported that the provincial government has distributed around 20,000 food packs to displaced families in evacuation centers.
“This might not be enough for some, but we have prioritized those most severely affected,” Diaz said.
In Negros Oriental, the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program has extended psychological first aid and P10,000 cash aid each to 18 families in Canlaon City who lost loved ones and property due to the typhoon.
Price freeze
A price freeze on basic and prime commodities is now in effect across Negros Occidental following President Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of national calamity after Typhoon “Tino” devastated coastal barangays in the province’s northern areas.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), more than 50,000 houses were damaged in the wake of the typhoon — about 7,000 completely destroyed and 49,000 partially damaged — leaving thousands of families displaced and dependent on relief aid.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental has intensified monitoring of grocery stores, supermarkets and retailers to ensure that the price freeze is strictly observed and that supplies remain stable amid the ongoing recovery efforts.
“May basis tayo for the basic necessities. Ang ating automatic price ceiling — ang sardinas, delata, noodles, laundry soap. For other prime commodities, may mga SRPs [suggested retail prices] ‘yan sila na pina-follow,” DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal said.
Cardinal assured that the agency is conducting daily monitoring to prevent price manipulation and to ensure steady supply.
“Tinitingnan natin, binabantayan talaga ang presyo na walang nagpapataas at hindi tayo maubusan ng suplay,” she added.
The DTI emphasized that both retailers and manufacturers have been reminded to comply with SRPs and to avoid taking advantage of the calamitous situation.
Meanwhile, local government units in the north continue to coordinate relief operations and damage assessments as affected residents begin rebuilding their homes./CJ, WDJ