State of calamity declared in Antique, Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines – The provinces of Antique and Negros Occidental have been placed under a state of calamity as the Visayas region continues to reel from the devastation brought by super typhoon Yolanda (international codename Haiyan). 

The northern part of Antique suffered the brunt of the typhoon, Antique Provincial Board Member Edgar Denosta said in a report by state-run Philippine National Agency. Amid the widespread devastation, at least 2 people in Antique were killed by the typhoon. Both of them were from Bugason municipality, Denosta said. 

Meanwhile, Negros island had one casualty. He was identified as Dominador Daulong, 7, of Brgy. Inayawan, Cauayan. 

In the town of Laua-an in Antique, about 90% of houses along the shoreline were damaged, said Laua-an Mayor Francisco Baladyan. Yolanda also damaged school buildings and two covered gyms in the municipality. 

In the town of Barbaza, Mayor Gerry Necor said there was “hardly a house not damaged by typhoon Yolanda.”

At least 6 municipalities in Antique have also been placed under state of calamity: Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza and Laua-an. 

Placing a town or a province under a state of calamity allows the local government units to access their calamity funds. Denosta said Antique’s calamity fund is worth 5% of the province’s annual budget of around P700 million to P800 million. 

As of Sunday, November 10, at least 4,980 families or 22,389 residents of Antique are staying in evacuation centers. 

Learning from their previous experience with typhoon Frank in 2008, LGUs conducted preemptive evacuation, avoiding massive loss of lives. 

As of Sunday afternoon, electricity has yet to be restored in Antique. 

‘Worst typhoon in Negros Occidental’

Yolanda was the worst calamity that hit Negros Occidental in recent years, Marañon said.

Electricty has been down in northern Negros, which is composed of 9 towns and cities, since Friday after Yolanda toppled more than 300 electric posts. It could take up to a week to restore power across the province, said Dan Pondevilla, general manager of the VRESCO (Victorias Rural Electric Cooperative). 

The cities of Cadiz, Sagay and Escalante suffered the brunt of the typhoon. 

Initial damage to agricultural crops and fisheries was estimated at P18 million, Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said.

At least 23,011 families in 27 of the 31 towns and cities were affected by the typhoon in Negros Occidental, excluding Bacolod City, according to the provincial social welfare and development office. 

As of Saturday, November 9, at least 917 houses in Negros Occidental were destroyed, while 3,263 others were partially damaged, said Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Liane Garcia. – with reports from Gilbert Bayoran/Rappler.com

Get the latest info on the status of areas affected by typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan).

Help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan). Visit Rappler’s list of ongoing relief operations in your area. Tell us about your relief and recovery initiatives, email move.ph@rappler.com or tweet us @moveph. 

Visit rappler.com/typhoon-yolanda for the latest updates on Typhoon Yolanda.

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