13.5K families in Negros Occidental displaced by heavy rains, floods

BACOLOD CITY – At least 13,509 families in Negros Occidental, including this highly-urbanized city, have been displaced by heavy rains and floods due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Ferdie as of Saturday afternoon.

Less than 24 hours since it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Ferdie has left, as of the 5 p.m. weather bulletin. No tropical cyclone wind signal was raised

However, across the province, there were 13,115 families or 42,702 persons affected in 65 villages of 15 local government units (LGUs), data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) showed.

"The provincial government is conducting continuous monitoring of increased water level and flooding incidents and coordinates with LGUs regarding augmentation of prepositioned assets once needed," the PDRRMC said in its report.

A total of 1,321 families, composed of 4,340 persons, are staying in evacuation centers while 197 families or 638 individuals are staying with relatives or in other houses.

Affected LGUs include the municipalities of Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Ilog, Cauayan and Hinoba-an as well as the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Sipalay.

In this city, the Department of Social Services and Development reported the evacuation of 1,382 individuals from 394 families in 10 villages since Friday.

As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, 234 families or 707 persons remained in various evacuation centers.

The affected families are from Barangays 39, Alijis, Handumanan, Sum-ag, Pahanocoy, Cabug, Taculing, Singcang-Airport, Punta Taytay and Mansilingan. (PNA)