• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than 35,000 individuals in 13 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, including the highly urbanized Bacolod City, were displaced by heavy rains and floods brought by Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” on Friday (Sept. 26).
As of 5 p.m., 33,838 persons were affected in 12 cities and municipalities across the province, with some areas experiencing flooding up to three feet.
Based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), those affected are from 58 barangays in the cities of Silay, Talisay, La Carlota and Bago as well as the towns of Hinobaan, Pontevedra, Isabela, E.B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, La Castellana, and Manapla.
Some 1,257 individuals in Bacolod City have also sought temporary shelter in evacuation centers.
Signal No. 2 was declared in the northernmost LGUs of Negros Occidental Friday morning while towns and cities in central Negros were placed under Signal No. 1.
Classes at all levels, both in public and private schools, and government work all over the province were suspended as a precautionary measure due to persistent heavy rains on Friday.
Three houses in E.B. Magalona and Silay City were partially damaged while a minor landslide occurred in Barangay Nabulao, Sipalay City.
The Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental reported that sea travel in Negros Occidental and Bacolod has been suspended, with 298 persons stranded in various ports.
The Philippine Coast Guard also cancelled trips from Negros Oriental and Siquijor on Friday due to stormy weather.
The Office of Civil Defense said that Negros Island may still experience moderate to heavy rains on Saturday (Sept. 27). | GB
