ILOILO CITY — The Negros Occidental Provincial Board and the Bacolod City Council separately declared their areas under a state of calamity on Thursday following the widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Tino.

At the Negros Occidental Capitol, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed that the declaration—approved unanimously in a special session—was based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

“This declaration is urgently needed to speed up response and recovery,” said Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who presided over the session.

Provincial data showed 44 fatalities across Negros Occidental—12 in La Castellana, 7 in Hinigaran, 6 each in Bago City and Moises Padilla, 4 in La Carlota City, 3 in San Carlos City, 2 in Murcia, and one each in Isabela, Pontevedra, Binalbagan, and Himamaylan City.

The declaration will allow the province to mobilize its Quick Response Fund (QRF) for relief, rehabilitation, and assistance to affected families, particularly in central and southern Negros.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Council also placed the city under a state of calamity, enabling the release of emergency funds and a price freeze on basic goods.

“With this declaration, the city can now provide financial aid to affected families and enforce a price freeze to protect consumers,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said in a statement.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported that 7,895 families, or 27,401 individuals, were preemptively evacuated. A total of 2,294 homes were damaged—266 totally destroyed and 2,028 partially damaged.

City Social Services and Development Office head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said long-term support is being prepared for displaced residents as relief operations continue.

This marks the second time this year that Negros Occidental has been placed under a state of calamity, following a similar declaration in July due to Tropical Cyclone Crising and a pest outbreak affecting sugarcane farms.