IMPASSABLE. A landslide, triggered by heavy rains caused by Paeng, renders a road leading to mountain villages in Valencia, Negros Oriental impassable early Saturday (Oct. 29, 2022). One person was reported to have died while scores of people were evacuated from many areas in the province due to heavy rains and flooding. (Photo courtesy of Nicky Dumapit)
DUMAGUETE CITY – One person was reported dead while hundreds were evacuated from different areas in Negros Oriental on Saturday as Severe Tropical Storm Paeng lashed the Visayas region since Friday, triggering rains, floods, and landslides.
Provincial police director Col. Jonathan Pineda told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that police personnel were repacking relief goods for distribution to various evacuation centers across the province.
Pineda and his police officers joined the provincial Social Welfare and Development Office at the evacuation site in Barangay Fatima, Sta. Catalina town for the relief distribution.
“Our police personnel are on the ground to ensure the safety of the people and we are still collating data coming in in trickles from the different towns and cities as some parts are experiencing power outages,” Pineda said in Filipino.
A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office said a woman's body, later identified as Elvie Lambo, 40, of Barangay Pinalubngan, Tayasan town, was discovered late Friday.
Initial investigation showed the woman went to their family’s farm to harvest when she was hit by a tree that was uprooted by strong winds and heavy rains.
On Friday evening, scores of residents of the municipality of Siaton were rescued and brought to the town gymnasium in a pre-emptive evacuation as the Siaton River waters swelled while floodwaters were reported to have entered several homes.
Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, commanding officer of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Siaton, said he deployed troops to help in rescue operations, as well as the clearing of landslide debris.
As of the latest report on Saturday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), through the Capitol Provincial Information Office, said minor landslides that hit Guihulngan City, Siaton, Vallehermoso, and Bayawan City were declared “cleared”.
A landslide in Barangay Malabo, Valencia town rendered the road leading to mountain barangays impassable for a few hours on Saturday morning but was immediately cleared of debris.
The PDRRMO initially reported the number of displaced in Guihulngan at 188 families consisting of 741 individuals; Basay, 27 households (63 individuals); Siaton, 184 households (753 individuals); Sta. Catalina, 115 families (340 individuals); Canlaon City, six families (21 individuals); La Libertad, 21 households (72 individuals); Bais City, 56 families (221 individuals); and Ayungon, 10 families (26 individuals). (PNA)
