By CESAR JOLITO III

The damage left behind by Typhoon “Tino” in Negros Occidental has climbed to nearly P2 billion, affecting critical infrastructure, agriculture and education facilities across the province, according to the latest executive brief from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Emergency Operations Center.

The total estimated destruction has reached P1,976,367,038.70, marking one of the province’s most financially devastating weather-related incidents in recent years.

The bulk of the losses — amounting to P1,500,390,604.23 — came from the infrastructure sector.

Several bridges, roads and public structures sustained heavy damage, with multiple areas reporting impassable routes and collapsed or heavily eroded sections that are now undergoing assessment for reconstruction.

Agriculture and livelihood losses reached P303,135,434.44, further straining communities already grappling with the aftermath of flash floods and landslides.

Breakdown of agricultural losses includes P158.17 million in crops, P18.84 million in livestock, P125.67 million in fisheries, and P449,000 in damaged farm machineries.

Provincial officials warn that recovery in agriculture may take months due to washed-out fields and disrupted production cycles.

Schools across Negros Occidental also suffered extensive destruction, recording P172,841,000 worth of damage. This includes the total loss of several classrooms, facilities requiring major repairs, campuses needing clearing and cleanup operations, and the establishment of temporary learning spaces to prevent academic disruptions.

96 dead 

The Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has confirmed 96 deaths and 40 individuals still missing across the region following the onslaught of Typhoon “Tino.”

Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental recorded 19 deaths and 10 missing persons, the highest in the region.

Canlaon City in Negros Oriental followed closely with 18 deaths and three missing.

Other affected localities include La Castellana (14 deaths, 14 missing), Hinigaran (10 deaths), Isabela (eight deaths, four missing), Bago City (seven deaths, four missing), Binalbagan (six deaths), La Carlota City (four deaths, three missing), San Carlos City (three deaths, two missing), and Murcia (two deaths). Himamaylan City, Vallehermoso, Pontevedra, Ilog, and San Enrique recorded one fatality each.

OCD-NIR clarified that two bodies recovered in Murcia were residents of San Carlos, contributing to the confirmed fatalities there./CJ, WDJ