• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In-person classes in at least 14 local government units of Negros Occidental and sea trips bound for Manila have been suspended on Monday (Sept. 2) while the provincial government declared half-day work for its employees due to heavy rains enhanced by southwest monsoon and brought about by Tropical Storm Enteng.
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City were also placed on blue alert status, which led to the activation of their respective emergency operations center and disaster online reporting and monitoring system.
The trip of a Manila-bound vessel from the Bredco port in Bacolod City was suspended from morning to afternoon, said Cmdr. Jansen Benjamin, chief of Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental.
Benjamin said the 2GO Travel’s M/V Masigla, with 389 passengers, remained docked since Monday morning.
Aside from the passengers, five rolling cargoes, 145 containers, and four motorcycles were also stranded at the Bredco Port.
However, the suspension was lifted by 8 p.m., allowing Manila-bound vessels to sail.
The Philippine Airlines 4:25 p.m. flight from Manila to the Bacolod-Silay Airport was cancelled as well due to foul weather.
Local government units that canceled classes include the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, San Carlos, Himamaylan and Bacolod as well as the municipalities of Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, Murcia, Valladolid, Isabela, Hinoba-an and Calatrava.
Classes in San Carlos City will resume today, Sept. 3, Mayor Renato Gustilo said.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the suspension of work in all provincial government offices starting noon Monday.
“However, those who are assigned to vital and essential services such as security and emergency personnel shall continue to be on duty as scheduled,” Lacson said in a memorandum issued through Acting Provincial Administrator Alberto Nellas Jr.
In E.B. Magalona, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac also announced the suspension of work in the municipal government offices starting 1 p.m. Monday except for those whose functions involve providing essential public services and are directly involved in disaster and emergency management. | GB
