Typhoon damage in Negros Occidental hits P6.2B
by Adrian P. Nemes III
DAMAGE caused by Typhoon Odette in Negros Occidental already reached P6.2 billion as of Wednesday, December 22, a Provincial Government report showed.
Of the figure, the agro-fishery sector incurred the highest amount at P4.4 billion with 2,294 hectares of land to various crops.
It is followed by the livestock and poultry sector with P488.8 million in damage and losses.
The typhoon also caused P201 million in devastation to infrastructure, specifically roads and bridges, P12 million in seaports, P268 million in schools, and P13.6 million in health facilities.
At least 93,000 houses were either destroyed or damaged, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas reported Tuesday, December 21.
Death toll due to the havoc of Typhoon Odette in Negros Occidental already rose to 34 and 17 of which are from Sipalay City.
Seven individuals remain missing and 88 others were injured.
The Provincial Board already passed a resolution Tuesday, December 21, declaring Negros Occidental under a state of calamity because of the destruction of Typhoon Odette.
With the declaration of the state of calamity, local government units (LGU) can now utilize their respective calamity funds, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
But Lacson said that a portion of their calamity funds were already utilized for their coronavirus disease (Covid-19) response, while the remaining quick response funds is only P15 million.
He assured that they will look for other sources of funds, especially from the province’s savings.
A price freeze is also being implemented all throughout the province to curb predatory pricing of prime and basic commodities by businesses and hoarding of goods.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government employees and vehicles picked up relief goods from the coast guard’s BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) Tuesday.
The vessel arrived from Lapuz wharf in Iloilo City en route to Bredco port in Bacolod City carrying food packs and non-food items from the OCD and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Western Visayas.
Among the items loaded at the vessel were 50 shelter repair kits, 100 family packs, 500 hygiene kits and 800 family food packs.
