• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Expected heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Bavi (Inday) trigged the cancellation of classes across Negros Island for the rest of the week.
In Negros Oriental, Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Thursday, July 9, citing the threat of heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surge, and landslides.
Sagarbarria urged Negros Oriental residents to remain vigilant as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist.
Several local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have also announced class suspensions.
Moises Padilla suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools from July 8 to July 10.
San Carlos City implemented a risk-based or zonal suspension, covering selected barangays.
Isabela suspended classes at all levels in both public and private schools also from July 8 to July 10, including work for teaching and non-teaching personnel.
Other LGUs that declared class suspensions at all levels include Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, Hinoba-an, Hinigaran, Kabankalan City, Pontevedra, and La Castellana.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) forecast 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall across the province on Thursday, July 9 with similar rainfall amounts expected on July 10 and 11.
The PDRRMO warned that localized flooding may occur in low-lying and riverside communities, while landslides remain possible in highly susceptible areas.
Despite the expected heavy rains, the PDRRMO clarified that no tropical cyclone wind signal has been raised over Negros Occidental.
In response to the weather disturbance, the PDRRM Council Emergency Operations Center has been placed under blue alert status, indicating that a potential threat has been identified and may escalate. | GPB
