• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Occidental is now on red alert status in anticipation of Tropical Cyclone Tino, which will make a landfall over Eastern Visayas and Caraga regions evening of Nov. 3 and morning of Nov. 4.
According to the weather bulletin of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Tino will traverse much of the Visayas area, northern portions of Sulu Sea and Palawan, before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 5.
Tino is likely to intensify into a typhoon, with the highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Signal Number 4, Pagasa said.
In a memorandum, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, the PDRRMC chairperson, ordered all local disaster councils to conduct pre-emptive evacuations, if necessary.
Pagasa also forecasted heavy rainfall in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental on Nov. 4.
An advisory issued by Pagasa warns high risk of storm surge estimated at one to two meters in Negros Oriental and Negros Oriental low-lying areas within 48 hours.
Suspension of classes on Nov. 3 and 4 were declared by the respective mayors in the cities of Bacolod, San Carlos, Escalante, Cadiz, Sagay, Victorias, Silay, Talisay, Bago, La Carlota, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan as well as in the municipalities of Ilog, Cauayan, Moises Padilla, Binalbagan, La Castellana, Hinigaran, Isabela, Pontvedra, Valladolid, Pulupandan, E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Calatrava, Toboso and Don Salvador Benedicto.
The Philippine Coast Guard also cancelled sea trips between Cadiz City and Bantayan, Cebu effective Nov. 2 until further notice.
Suspension of classes on Nov. 3 until further notice was also ordered by Governor Manuel Sagarbarria in the whole province of Negros Oriental. | GB
