State of calamity declared in Bacolod Due to massive flooding  

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — This city has been placed under a state of calamity amid massive flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Goring.

The city council approved the declaration, which was recommended by Mayor Alfredo Benitez, during its regular session on Wednesday.

Up to 3,998 families or 12,868 residents of 33 out of 61 barangays were affected by flooding, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Benitez, who is also CDRRMO chairperson, said the 33 barangays have been flooded since Monday.

The city council, during its session on Tuesday, approved the release of P19.5 million from its surplus funds and the realignment of P24 million as relief assistance to affected residents.

The declaration of a state of calamity will allow the city government to tap its contingency funds to assist affected residents.

In Negros Occidental, damage to livestock, agricultural products and fisheries increased to P120.8 million as of Aug. 30, also due to flooding, according to a report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The PDRRMC said 2,888 farmers were affected and 3,357 hectares of agricultural land were damaged.

Twenty-four houses were destroyed while 67 others were damaged in the province.

At least 100,337 residents in 16 towns and cities in the province were affected.