Bacolod and Talisay cities were placed under states of calamity yesterday after flooding caused 2,167 families to evacuate, destroyed 112 houses, and damaged 3,356 others when heavy rains that poured after midnight were exacerbated by high tide.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the Bacolod Sanggunian unanimously declared a state of calamity on his request, so P5 million could be allocated to assist the flood victims.

This was confirmed by Councilor Homer Bais who said the city could still add to the amount if necessary.

Talisay Mayor Eric Saratan said a state of calamity was also declared in his city so funds can be used to aid 13 flood-hit barangays.

Isagani Republica of the Provincial Disaster Management Team reported that in Talisay City 76 families evacuated and seven houses were washed out.

Gov. Joseph Marañon said food assistance was immediately provided by the provincial government for the Talisay City flood victims.

Leonardia, who was up from midnight until morning overseeing the city's response to the calamity in the flood-hit areas, said he is appealing to the private sector to help the flood victims left homeless a week before Christmas.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said he is also appealing for assistance.

The Social Action Center of The Diocese of Bacolod has started gathering donations in goods and cash, he said.

In Bacolod City, residents in several barangays were rescued from rising waters, flooded streets caused many cars to stall and in Barangay Mandalagan, where water was estimated to be as high as 5 feet at one point, a house floated down a road hitting a vehicle stuck in the water.

Scattered fruits from washed-out fruit stands and debris were also seen in Mandalagan, the worst-hit barangay in Bacolod City where the flood hit squatter areas and high-end subdivisions.

Leonardia said 2,091 families were affected and were brought to evacuation centers, while 105 houses were destroyed and 3,356 were damaged in Bacolod City.

Twenty-eight of the 61 Bacolod barangays were affected by the floods drawing numerous complaints of poor drainage from residents.

The heavy rains brought on by tropical depression Tomas lasted for about three hours from midnight to past 3 a.m. yesterday.

Leonardia explained that it was not just a drainage problem that caused the flooding. "It was an unusual weather condition exacerbated by high tide and environmental changes," he said.

When the rain slowed down, it was noted the waters subsided immediately in most areas, he said.

He assured that the drainage problem is a continuing concern because it is massive in nature.

Bacolod Rep Monico Puentevella said his office is coming up with a detailed and comprehensive updated drainage system plan that he plans to present to the President for review and consideration.*CPG

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Bacolod Social Services and Development officer-in-charge Sally Abelarde said the city government has released food assistance to the affected families in the 28 barangays.

As of 7 last night, they had distributed 1,120 loaves of bread and 1,690 packs of rice, noodles, and canned goods to the affected residents, Social Worker Officer 2 Rosalyn Rubrico said.

Leonardia convened the City Disaster Coordinating Council at about 4 a.m. yesterday and later visited the evacuation centers with Councilors Greg Gasataya and Al Victor Espino to check on the situation of the evacuees.

Abelarde said about 2,091 families were affected by the flashflood with barangay Banago and Mandalagan having the most number of affected residents. She said there were nine evacuation centers in the city. Two have been closed since the evacuees went home before noon yesterday.

Affected residents of Purok Mars, Brgy. Singcang, fled to Gaisano City early yesterday morning when their areas were flooded but returned to their homes a few hours later when the water subsided.

Other affected barangays are Taculing, Bata, Alijis, Tangub, Villamonte, 20, 10, 1, Mansilingan, 11, 35, 8, Pahanocoy, 3, 7, 15, Montevista, 27, 2, 13,4 17, 40, 38, and 12.

Gasataya, chairman of the Committee on Fire, Natural Disasters and Calamities said the City Disaster Coordinating Council has submitted reports of the DSSD on the flooding to the Regional Development Council.*CGS

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