• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Work in government offices and classes in all levels, both public and private schools, in Bacolod today, Feb. 6, have been suspended with the city and several areas in Negros Occidental placed under Signal 1 due to Tropical Storm Basyang, as of the 8 p.m. weather bulletin.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office recommended the suspension of government work and classes due to the Orange Heavy Rainfall Warning issued by the DOST-PAGASA for Bacolod, in relation to the combined effects of the shear line and “Basyang”.
But offices, whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities and /or performance of other vital services shall continue their operations and render necessary services, the mayor stressed.
“Schools are encouraged to shift to modular distance learning performance tasks and projects to ensure that learning competencies are met,” Gasataya said. “The suspension of work in private companies, business establishments, and institutions is left to the discretion of their respective management and administrators.”
The Bacolod Emergency Operations Center remains on Red Alert status to ensure heightened monitoring, rapid response, and coordinated action among concerned agencies, he added.
“Basyang” maintained its strength while moving towards Caraga Region, with its center estimated, based on all available data at 115 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, as of 7 p.m. Feb. 5.
“Basyang” has maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa, with strong to gale-force winds extending outwards up to 380 km from the center.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) 2 has been hoisted over the southern portion of Negros Occidental, including Candoni, City of Sipalay, Ilog, City of Kabankalan, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, City of Himamaylan, and Binalbagan; Dumaguete City, San Jose, Valencia, Bacong, Amlan, Dauin, Sibulan, Zamboanguita, Siaton, City of Tanjay, Pamplona, Santa Catalina, Bais City, Manjuyod, Bindoy, City of Bayawan, Basay, Mabinay, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, and La Libertad, all in Negros Oriental; Siquijor, the southern portion of Cebu, and the southern portion of Bohol, all in the Visayas.
In Mindanao, Signal 2 is in effect over Surigao del Norte, including Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the extreme northern portion of Davao Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, the northern portion of Bukidnon, the northeastern portion of Lanao del Norte, the northeastern portion of Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin.
Areas placed under TCWS 1 include the rest of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod, the rest of Negros Oriental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, the southern portion of Eastern Samar, the southern portion of Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the rest of Bohol, and the rest of Cebu, all in the Visayas; as well as several areas in Mindanao and Luzon.
“Basyang” was to have an initial landfall over Surigao del Sur last night or this morning. It may pass close or make another landfall over Siquijor and the southern portion of Negros Oriental this afternoon to evening, the weather bureau said. | CGC
