BACOLOD CITY – The national government has assured sustained support for the full recovery and rehabilitation of Negros Occidental following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) last week.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson met with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday at the Provincial Capitol to brief them on the extent of the damage across the province.
Frasco emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the continued presence and assistance of the national government during the province’s recovery phase.
“The President has instructed us to convey that the national government stands ready to provide whatever assistance is needed by LGUs and affected residents, ensuring that our presence is felt until full recovery,” Frasco said.
Negros Occidental is among the provinces granted PHP50 million in cash assistance by the Office of the President to jumpstart rehabilitation efforts.
According to the provincial government’s executive brief, 179,092 families (or 661,900 individuals) across 547 barangays in 31 LGUs were affected by flooding and strong winds on November 4. Of these, 14,549 families (55,003 people) remain in evacuation centers.
The typhoon also damaged 49,382 houses and completely destroyed 7,876 others.
Estimated damages include PHP72.54 million in agriculture, PHP22.54 million in fisheries, PHP4.06 million in livestock, and a significant PHP427.91 million in infrastructure losses.
Frasco and Angara, leading the initial inter-agency assessment, visited heavily affected areas including Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and La Carlota City.
In Moises Padilla—one of the hardest-hit towns—Frasco announced an additional PHP10 million in immediate aid from President Marcos to support local rehabilitation. Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo presented the municipality’s urgent needs, particularly in water supply restoration, housing, and infrastructure repair.
The Cabinet officials also inspected the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia National High School, where several classrooms were damaged, and spearheaded the distribution of relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Moises Padilla Elementary School, now serving as an evacuation center.
Secretary Angara likewise turned over laptop units and a Starlink Internet device to improve digital access and blended learning for local teachers and students. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) also distributed medicines, 100 jerrycans, and 25 shelter-grade tarpaulins to affected families.
In Binalbagan, Frasco and Angara joined Mayor Emmanuel Aranda in inspecting damaged infrastructure and overseeing the relief distribution to evacuees. They also visited the Barangay Biao Spillway, one of the most affected structures, to monitor ongoing clearing and repair operations.
NPO News Team | PNA-PR
