Canlaon City in Negros Oriental commemorated the first anniversary of Typhoon Tino on Wednesday, Nov. 4, with Mayor Jose Chubasco “Batchuk” Cardenas assuring families who lost their homes that the city government would continue providing housing and rebuilding assistance.
The commemoration, held at the Canlaon City Pension House in Brgy. Panubigan, brought together families still staying in evacuation centers and residents whose houses were destroyed and damaged when the typhoon struck on Nov. 4, 2025.
Cardenas said 47 families, comprising 118 individuals, remain in evacuation centers a year after the disaster.
He said these families would be prioritized for relocation to Brgy. Binalbagan to allow the city government to restore the use of evacuation facilities, including the gymnasium.
The mayor also clarified the available assistance for families who prefer to rebuild their homes on their own properties.
Under the city’s assistance program, qualified families with their own lots may receive P40,000 worth of construction materials and an additional P10,000 for labor.
Cardenas said the lots must be located away from riverbanks and cleared by the City Engineering Department as suitable for residential construction.
He added that around 20 to 30 families who had already purchased their own lots had received the assistance and signed agreements waiving their claims to relocation lots in Brgy. Binalbagan.
The same assistance may be extended to the 47 families still in evacuation centers if they can secure suitable land for rebuilding, he said.
Meanwhile, Cardenas disclosed that 133 prefabricated housing units had arrived in the city as another option for displaced residents.
He said the prefabricated houses could be assembled in approximately two days and may be installed on qualified beneficiaries’ own lots, subject to arrangements with the city government.
Families who choose to receive prefabricated houses on their own properties would also be required to sign agreements waiving their claims to government-provided relocation lots.
For those who have yet to acquire land, Cardenas said relocation options in Brgy. Binalbagan remain available, while the city continues exploring other possible housing sites.
The mayor made the clarifications amid concerns among affected residents about the availability of housing assistance and the allocation of relocation slots.
The commemoration was also attended by members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and included a gathering and shared meal with typhoon-affected families.
Meanwhile, the city government formally approved an ordinance declaring Nov. 4 of every year as Typhoon Tino Commemoration Day.
The ordinance, initiated by Councilor Jane Francis Cardenas, seeks to honor the victims of the disaster and recognize the resilience of affected communities.
It also provides for the establishment of a commemorative wall, the annual observance of the disaster’s anniversary, and the allocation of funds for related activities.
Councilor Cardenas said remembering the disaster should also strengthen the city’s commitment to building a more resilient future.
The city government said the annual commemoration would serve as a reminder of the lives affected by Typhoon Tino and the continuing recovery and rebuilding efforts in Canlaon.*
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