Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is placing Negros Occidental under a state of calamity following the devastation caused by Typhoon “Odette.”
He will seek the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday, December 20, to place the province under a state of calamity so funds can be allocated to assist those affected, Lacson said Sunday, December 19.
The death toll from the typhoon in Negros Occidental rose to 34 on Sunday with 16 dead in Sipalay City, six in Kabankalan City, three in Moises Padilla, two in Candoni and one each in Binalbagan, Cauayan, Ilog, Isabela, La Carlota City, Manapla and San Carlos City, Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head, said.
However, the Kabankalan police reported nine deaths and Sipalay City reported 17 fatalities late Sunday, bringing the Negros Occidental death toll to 38.
Lacson clarified that those deaths are based on reports from town and city disaster teams on the ground, police spot reports had only recorded 17 as of early Sunday afternoon.
There were also 11 missing persons in Sipalay City, he said.
Nine were also reported injured with five in Kabankalan City, two in Moises Padilla, and one each in EB Magalona and San Carlos City.
Initial reports showed 3,764 houses destroyed and 16,477 damaged, but the figures are expected to be much higher as reports are coming in trickles because of communication problems.
The sixth district alone, that was the worst hit, allows us to declare a state of calamity, and there are also other areas in Negros Occidental that have been badly hit, Lacson said.
Mayor Irene Montilla also declared a state of calamity in Isabela town.
The victims of the typhoon are in urgent need of food, clean drinking water, and blankets, Captain Ludovico Lilbrilla, Coast Guard Station Negros Occidental commander, said.
BRP Nueva Viscaya sailed to Sipalay City from Iloilo to deliver assistance to the typhoon victims on Sunday, he said.
Some people were seen begging on the side of the road while others joined long lines for food and water assistance in southern Negros Occidental.
In Kabankalan City, nine more casualties were reported Sunday, although the provincial command center only reported six.
Lt. Col. Reymund Cruz, Kabankalan police chief, said among the fatalities were five family members – a mother, her three children aged 17, 15, and nine, and their aunt from Barangay Locotan. They were engulfed by flood waters.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos was in Negros Occidental Sunday to conduct an aerial survey of southern Negros Occidental.
He then proceeded to the provincial police headquarters in Bacolod for a command visit.
Carlos instructed other police regional offices that were not affected by the typhoon to mobilize their contingents, assets, and equipment to assist the affected provinces.*