Negros in state of calamity,
everyone’s help needed: guv
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said he has declared Negros Occidental under a state of calamity, following the devastation left by super typhoon “Yolanda”.

The declaration is expected to be concurred in by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in a special session tomorrow.

Manapla town was the first to declare a state of calamity on Saturday, while more local governments in Negros Occidental are set to do the same this week.

Thousands of houses, especially   in northern Negros Occidental were destroyed,   but the province is still lucky to  have only  one casualty, said Marañon, who spent the weekend inspecting and delivering assistance to the super typhoon-hit areas.

Bacolod SP ok’s
similar declaration
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution declaring Bacolod City under a state of calamity during a special session yesterday, based on an initial report of the local Department of Social Services and Development on the damage caused by super typhoon “Yolanda.”

Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevela expressed his gratitude for what he called the overwhelming support shown by the SP for the passage of the resolution by a vote of nine – from Councilors Sonya Verdeflor, Ana Marie Palermo, El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Claudio Puentevella, Wilson Gamboa, and Alex Paglumotan.

Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez and Caesar Distrito also voted in the affirmative but stated their reservations.

Solon: Let’s aid others

 “While we thank God for sparing our city the full wrath of superstorm Yolanda, let us not forget that there are still people who need our assistance, particularly those from the other provinces it had hit,” Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia said yesterday.

“We were blessed when Yolanda turned away from our city, but we must now think of those who were displaced and are now suffering from the destruction she wrought, Leonardia added.

“I join our people in thanksgiving for the scaled-down impact of Yolanda,” he said. “Let us also remember that, for many years now, our city has been spared by typhoons that swerved away when  they were about to hit us. He also noted that even the recent earthquakes had   not wrought so much damage in Bacolod.