• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 4,266 families, composed of 11,567 individuals, in Negros Island Region have sought temporary shelter in safer grounds even as “Basyang” has weakened into a tropical depression on Friday, Feb. 6.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) expects “Basyang” to pass through Negros Island, which is under Signal No. 1 on Saturday, Feb. 7 before it will further weaken into a low pressure area.
Data of the Office of Civil Defense showed that in Negros Occidental alone, a total of 3,710 families, composed of 10,307 individuals were affected by “Basyang”, of which 1,171 families are staying in evacuation centers.
Work suspension was declared in 21 local government units on Friday.
Tropical Depression Basyang has a maximum sustained winds of 55km per hour near the center, with gustiness up to 75km per hour, according to Pagasa.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office is readying 10,000 food packs for distribution to families displaced by TD Basyang in Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that 22 vessels are stranded in ports of Bredco in Bacolod City as well as in the cities of San Carlos, Sagay, Escalante, and Cadiz in Negros Occidental.
The 235 stranded passengers at Bredco port are temporarily staying in 12 classrooms of Education and Training Center School-III in Bacolod City.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a warning of possible flooding, soil erosion, and volcanic mudflows at Kanlaon Volcano surrounding areas due to heavy rains.
Residents of Bago City, La Carlota City, San Carlos City, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental have been advised to be vigilant and prepare for possible evacuations. | GB
