Calamity state up in three areas in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY—The legislative boards of two towns and one city in Negros Occidental province placed their localities under a state of calamity following heavy rains and flooding triggered by the southwest monsoon (“habagat”).

The local councils of La Carlota City and Hinigaran town approved the recommendation of their local chief executives on Wednesday while San Enrique town was placed under a state of calamity on Monday.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they were still studying if the provincial government would issue a separate declaration placing the province under a state of calamity.

“What is important now is that help is reaching the affected LGUs (local government units),” he said. “The response is a concerted effort of the town and municipal governments along with the provincial government and regional agencies, especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development.”

The DSWD, Lacson said, has a warehouse in Negros Occidental where relief goods have been prepositioned.

The declaration of a state of calamity is necessary in order to extend relief to affected families and to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure by using the 30 percent of a local government’s quick response fund.

Residents affected by heavy rains and flooding in Negros Occidental reached 149,962 as of Wednesday.

Of this number, 33,978 remained in evacuation centers as of Wednesday, said Irene Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head.

Remote learning

In Western Visayas region, over 2,500 public schools have suspended in-person classes and shifted to the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) for learning due to the heavy rains and to ensure students and school personnel are safe while continuing remote learning, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

“We are monitoring the situation per division and will wait for announcements from the local governments regarding the resumption of in-person classes. This shift is essential to protect our children, especially given the heavy rains and travel risks,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., DepEd regional information officer.

The ADM model allows students to continue their lessons at home, primarily using learning modules. This method ensures that education carries on without the need to extend the academic calendar.

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“Our parents need to ensure that their children keep studying because teachers cannot monitor them closely during this time. We are calling on parents to help us educate their children,” Escullar said.