Bacolod: Some local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have suspended face-to-face classes until Friday amid the threat of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, prompting the hoisting of red alert status across the Negros Island Region (NIR).
According to Philippines News Agency, the Provincial Emergency Operations Center went on red alert status in reference to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum No. 11, maintaining a similar alert status in the region's Emergency Operations Center. 'It's just a preparation for the typhoon, which right now is going to hit above us. It's in preparation just in case. Nowadays, you really can't tell, all of a sudden we experience very heavy rains,' Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said in an interview.
Among the LGUs that declared the suspension of classes until Friday are the cities of Himamaylan, San Carlos, Talisay, Victorias, and Sipalay, along with the municipalities of La Castellana, Ilog, Hinoba-an, Pontevedra, Toboso, and Moises Padilla. Sipalay City also suspended work in government offices on Friday, while E.B. Magalona cancelled both classes and government work on Thursday afternoon.
As of 2 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is in effect in the northern portion of Negros Occidental, including the cities of Escalante, Sagay, Cadiz, Victorias, Silay, and Talisay, as well as the municipalities of Toboso, Calatrava, Manapla, and E.B. Magalona. All cities and municipalities across the province are expecting heavy rainfall, based on the advisory issued as of 2 p.m. by the Visayas PAGASA Regional Services Division.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Irene Bel Plote±a said the red alert status in Negros Occidental indicates that the teams are 'ready for deployment' for incidents reported by the LGUs that need assistance from the province. 'Our water assets are on stand-by. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has also prepared for assistance, while the Provincial Health Office has prepositioned their own personnel and equipment,' she added.
In the memorandum, the RDRRMC-NIR advised all the concerned members and local DRRM councils to take precautionary measures and monitor the situation in their respective areas of responsibility.
