Talisay SP to declare 4 villages under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council will convened today to declare barangays Dumlog, Poblacion, Cansojong, and Tangke under state of calamity after strong waves generated by tropical storm “Gener” destroyed their houses.

This way, City Councilor Celiapo Cabuenas, chairman of the committee on social services, said the city government can release its calamity funds. 

Hundreds of families living along the shoreline of the four barangays were forced to flee starting Monday morning as waves battered their houses.

Calamity-stricken local government units can declare a state of calamity when at least 20 percent of the population is affected and in need of assistance; a great number or at least 40 percent of the means of livelihood are destroyed; major roads and bridges are destroyed and impassable for at least a week, thus disrupting the flow of transport and commerce; widespread destruction of fishponds, crops, poultry and livestock, and other agricultural products; and disruptions of lifelines such as electricity, potable water system, transport, communication, and other related systems.

Strong winds damaged 4,853 individuals and 1,221 families in four barangays, according to the latest report from the Local Risk Reduction Management Council. 

Barangay Tangke has the most number of affected families and individuals with 1,575 individuals and 550 families. There are 328 families and 1,476 individuals in Poblacion; 1,025 individuals and 170 in Dumlog and 777 individuals and 173 families in Cansojong. 

The Talisay City Social Welfare Office (CSWO), however, has not received any reports of casualties.

Cabuenas said the city government is still studying whether to give house owners P3,000 in assistance whose houses were destroyed. 

City Social Welfare Officer Felipa Solana said two kilos of rice, three sardines and noodles have already been distributed to families.  - THE FREEMAN