BACOLOD City – The municipality of San Enrique in Negros Occidental was hit hard by flooding due to heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat. It declared a “state of calamity” last week.
Nine of the town’s 10 villages were affected, data from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office showed.
San Enrique town Mayor Jilson Tubillara said losses in agriculture reached P10 million.
A total of 426 homes were damaged and 16 were totally destroyed, affecting 19,594 individuals or 5,579 families.
According to Tubillara, the floodwaters rose quickly because those from the neighboring cities of La Carlota and Bago, as well as the town of Murcia, flowed through the municipality.
The mayor also said high tide further exacerbated the flooding.
However, the flood quickly receded the same day due to the municipality’s River Protection Project.
Tubillara also lauded the town’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for its quick response.
Food packs have since been distributed to affected residents as the local government prepares further assistance. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
