BACOLOD City – A total of 112 families, or 389 individuals, from three barangays in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental were preemptively evacuated on Monday, September 1, due to flash flood threats brought by a low-pressure area (LPA).
According to the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), heavy rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by the LPA was experienced in parts of the country, including Quezon, Camarines Norte, and the Visayas.
City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Angie Gelongo said residents from barangays San Miguel, Yubo, and Roberto S. Benedicto (RSB) were brought to evacuation centers, while others sought shelter in the homes of relatives.
In Barangay San Miguel, 13 families (40 individuals) were housed at San Miguel Elementary School campuses in the Poblacion and Sitio Dulom Extension. Barangay Yubo reported 45 families (72 individuals) affected, with 13 families taking shelter at local facilities and 32 families (96 individuals) staying with relatives.
Barangay RSB recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 54 families (213 individuals). Twenty-five families were sheltered at La Carlota Sugar Central Elementary School and two families at RSB Integrated School, while 27 families (115 individuals) stayed with relatives.
Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni, along with CSWD Office staff and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Quick Response Team, assisted the evacuees and led the distribution of bread to displaced families from Barangay RSB.
The CSWDO said family food packs were distributed to all evacuees, and a child-friendly space was set up in evacuation centers. Assessment of partially and totally damaged houses is ongoing./PN
