Canlaon city: A total of 263 families, or 941 individuals, are currently staying in evacuation centers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, as Typhoon Tino, known internationally as Kalmaegi, impacted the Visayas region earlier this week.

According to Philippines News Agency, Edna Lhou Masicampo, the public information officer of Canlaon City, reported that as of Wednesday evening, these internally displaced persons (IDPs) were housed in seven evacuation centers and are receiving food and other relief supplies. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Negros Island Region has initiated the distribution of family food packs to assist those affected.

The displaced individuals hail from the barangays of Ninoy Aquino, Linothangan, Lumapao, Malaiba, Masulog, Mabigo, Budlasan, Binalbagan, Bayog, and Panubigan. Masicampo noted that 10 barangays are still without power, all communication lines are down, and Barangay Panubigan is experiencing water supply disruptions. She remarked on the limited communication capabilities at the Incident Command Post, despite the provincial government providing a Starlink connection.

The city has appealed to telecommunications companies for swift restoration of connectivity, while efforts by the Negros Oriental 1 Electric Cooperative are ongoing to restore power. The aftermath of Typhoon Tino has resulted in a death toll of 13, with 14 individuals still missing and 42 reported injured due to flash floods.

Rescue operations have transitioned to retrieval mode, with emergency responders, uniformed personnel, and volunteers actively involved. In Panubigan, the most severely affected barangay, 43 houses were destroyed and 22 others sustained damage. The national highway in Panubigan, a crucial route to the city’s central district, is now accessible as clearing operations continue to remove boulders and debris.

The Canlaon City government has declared a state of calamity in response to the significant damage caused by the typhoon.