Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday released close to P2 million from the provincial calamity fund to assist residents of Negros Occidental whose houses were destroyed and damaged by Typhoon Pablo.

The Provincial Social Welfare Office will deliver P5,000 each to those whose houses were destroyed and P3,000 to those with damaged homes, starting today, Marañon said.

The amount allocated will be increased, depending on additional reports submitted to his office, the governor said.

As of yesterday, the PSWDO had reported 75 houses destroyed and 603 damaged in five towns and two cities in Negros Occidental.

Hinobaan reported 64 houses destroyed and 557 damaged in barangays 1, 2, Asia, Alim, Bacuyangan, Bulwangan, Pook, San Rafael and Talacagay; followed by La Carlota City with three houses destroyed and 19 damaged in barangays Batuan, Hagimit, Yubo and Ara-al.

In Sipalay City, four houses were destroyed and nine were damaged in barangays Vista Alegre and Nabulao, while in Barangay Abu-abo, Murcia, one house was destroyed and two were damaged.

In Barangay Canjusa, Pulupandan, one house was damaged; Barangay Recreo, Pontevedra – one house damaged; and in Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan – one house was destroyed and two were damaged.

The PSWDO also reported that 1,434 families with 6,039 members were evacuated during Typhoon Pablo in Negros Occidental, but most of them have already returned home.

Those who evacuated as a preemptive measure were living in flood and landslide prone areas, Merle Garcia of the PSWDO said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said Typhoon Pablo’s strong winds may have affected palay crop at panicle and flowering stages in Negros Occidental.

However, actual damage can only be determined after harvest, and may reach up to P20 million, he added.*CPG

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