BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – At least 144 families in Negros Occidental were affected by flooding due to heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm “Paeng” since Wednesday night, Oct. 26.
As of 8 a.m. yesterday, Negros Occidental Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported that eight individuals from two families in Moises Padilla town, 102 families or 524 individuals in San Carlos City, 20 families or 100 individuals in Calatrava town, and 20 families or 87 individuals in Sipalay City were evacuated.
Of the total number of evacuees, only three families in San Carlos City remained in the evacuation center as of writing.
PSWDO added that the barangays affected by floods were the following:
* Barangay 1 Poblacion in Moises Padilla;
* Barangays Rizal, 1, 2, 5, and 6 in San Carlos City;
* Barangay Lemery in Calatrava; and
* one barangay in Sipalay City.
Meanwhile, some parts of Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City were also hit by floods late Wednesday night.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) rescued stranded residents.
Also during Wednesday night’s floods, the road connecting Singcang-Airport to Palmas del Mar was temporarily cut off as floodwaters reached the bridge.
The torrential rains and floods also forced local government units (LGUs) to suspend classes.
Among the LGUs that suspended classes were Bacolod City, the neighboring cities of Bago, Talisay, and Silay, and the municipality of Murcia.
In the north, classes were canceled in the cities of Victorias and San Carlos, as well as in the towns of E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Calatrava, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
In south and central Negros, classes were also suspended in the municipalities of Valladolid, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinoba-an, and the cities of La Carlota and Sipalay.
Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, said the DRRMOs would continue to monitor the weather situation as “Paeng” has already intensified into a tropical storm.
In an advisory, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) noted that although the province was not directly affected by the tropical disturbance, Negrenses should remain alert for isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, especially those living on the river banks.
The DRRM councils have also been advised to heighten preparedness by initiating proactive measures and taking appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flashfloods, or landslides, and by monitoring and ensuring that waterways are clear of obstruction and debris./PN
Flower price increase looms ahead of ‘Undas’
BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – Prices of flowers are currently stable but vendors foresee a spike in prices as All Saints’ and All Souls’ days draw near due to the high demand and the inclement weather.
According to Leonora Tuvillea, flower shop owner in Arevalo district, their flowers are currently at “moderate” prices.
A flower vendor for nearly two decades now, Tuvillea said arranged flowers in a basket range from P200 to P350, depending on the size.
“Ang baklanay sang bulak subong compared last year mas maayo, daw okay gid. Kaso ang bulak subong mahal,” she said.
Flowers like chrysanthemums are popular in the flower setup, which costs between P300 and P400 a dozen.
Roses are at P50 per stem while carnations are at P40 per stem.
“Ang mga bulak ni namon may ginakuha-an kami sa Negros Occidental or sa Bacolod pero kalabanan sa Baguio gid,” Tuvillea added.
She also told Panay News they expect better sales this year than the past two years.
However, Tuvillea is concerned that flower prices may increase due to the inclement weather and great demand.
She said that as Undas approaches, flowers from Cebu and Baguio become more costly.
Still, Tuvillea and other flower shop owners and vendors are positive that they will somehow recover, following the city government’s approval of cemetery visits, compared to last year’s sales./PN
