Negros Occidental to help typhoon victims

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said he will form a committee that will facilitate assistance for its neighboring province of Negros Oriental and other areas devastated by tropical storm ‘Sendong.’

Marañon, who thanked God that the province was again spared from the typhoon, said the Capitol will help receive the donations, and work with civic groups in sending the assistance to the typhoon victims.

He however did not mention how much the Negros Occidental LGU will give as financial assistance to typhoon victims.

The governor said the provincial government will prioritize aid to Negros Oriental, whose capital Dumaguete City had at least 37 people, including children, dead and 13 others still missing as of press time.

More than 2,000 families were left homeless when ‘Sendong’ dumped heavy rains that triggered flooding in many areas in Dumaguete and other parts of Negros Oriental last Saturday.

The fatalities included those who were carried away by the flashfloods or have died due to drowning, particularly in Dumaguete, and the towns of Valencia and Sibulan, reports said.

The PDRRMC, in its report, said the casualties were three in Dumaguete City; 14 in Sibulan; 13 in Pamplona; two each in Bacong and Valencia; and one each in San Jose, Tanjay and Siaton.

The 13 reported missing included six in Siaton, five in Valencia, and two in Sibulan. Many of those who lost their houses and personal belongings to the flood are now staying at various evacuation centers. —(FREEMAN)