Negros Occidental is expected to receive more assistance from the national government for its recovery and rehabilitation efforts after the devastation wrought by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) last week.

On Tuesday, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson briefed Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on the devastation across the province during their meeting at the Provincial Capitol here.

“The directive of the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) is first, to convey that the national government is here to provide whatever assistance is needed by the local government units (LGUs) and by the people in all aspects, and to see to it that the presence of the national government is felt until the period of recovery,” Frasco told reporters.

Last week, the Office of the President announced that Negros Occidental is among the provinces that will receive PHP50 million in cash assistance after the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

Based on the province’s executive brief, 179,092 families, or 661,900 Negrenses, from 547 barangays in 31 LGUs were affected by floods and strong winds at the height of the typhoon on Nov. 4.

At least 14,549 families, or 55,003 persons, are still staying in evacuation centers.

A total of 49,382 houses were damaged, while 7,876 others were destroyed.

Damage to agriculture reached PHP72.54 million; fishery at PHP22.54 million; and livestock at PHP4.06 million.

Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure was reported at PHP427.91 million.

Frasco, who was tasked to lead the initial inter-agency assessment in Negros Occidental, and Angara visited affected communities in Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and La Carlota City.

In Moises Padilla, Frasco said the President has allocated PHP10 million in immediate assistance for the recovery of one of the worst-hit localities in central Negros.

Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo briefed the Cabinet officials and regional agency heads on the municipality’s post-disaster situation and immediate needs, such as water supply, infrastructure repair, and housing for displaced families.

Frasco and Angara also inspected the Jose Pepito Montilla Garcia National High School, where several classrooms sustained heavy damage.

They also led the ceremonial distribution of relief supplies from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Moises Padilla Elementary School, which serves as an evacuation center.

Angara turned over computer laptop units and a Starlink Internet device to strengthen digital connectivity and support blended learning for teachers and students.

Other supplies, including 100 jerrycans and a box of assorted medicines from the Department of Health and 25 shelter-grade tarpaulins from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, were also distributed.

In Binalbagan, Frasco and Angara joined Mayor Emmanuel Aranda in inspecting damaged infrastructure and the distribution of relief supplies from the DSWD to the evacuees.

Medicines and jerrycans, as well as shelter-grade tarpaulins, were also distributed in the municipality.

Frasco and Angara also visited the Barangay Biao Spillway, one of the hardest-hit infrastructure sites, where Aranda gave an update on ongoing clearing and repair efforts. (PNA)