• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As shearline-induced rains continue to be experienced by Negrenses, classes have been suspended in 22 towns and cities of Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
These include schools in the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz, Sagay, Victorias, Silay, Talisay, Bago, La Carlota, and Himamaylan as well as the municipalities of Calatrava, Toboso, Don Salvador Benedicto, Manapla, E.B. Magalona, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Hinigaran, Isabela, and La Castellana.
Mayor Greg Gasataya also ordered suspension of classes in highly-urbanized Bacolod City.
Mayor Abelardo Bantug III extended the suspension of classes in Victorias on Feb. 11.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Irene Bel Ploteña said they have pre-positioned the response assets, including water and search rescue teams up for deployment in Escalante City, if needed in the first and second districts.
While light to moderate rains or sometimes heavy rainfall are experienced by residents of the affected local government units, Ploteña said the river system remains normal.
On Monday, some 318 families in cities of Talisay and Silay participated in pre-emptive evacuations due to heavy rains.
Majority of them returned home on Tuesday.
The shear line and the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will continue to affect many parts of the country, the weather bureau said on Tuesday.
In its advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that Visayas will continue to have cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms due to the shear line. | GB
