• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Island is bracing for the effects of Typhoon Tino, which aside from heavy rainfall, could also trigger life threatening storm surge and lahar flow from Kanlaon Volcano.
As of 8 p.m. Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed the northern portion of Negros Occidental under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 and the rest of Negros Occidental under Signal No. 3.
PAGASA issued a storm surge warning both in coastal areas of Negros Island, estimated at one to two meters.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also raised a warning on volcanic sediment flows, lahar, muddy stream flows in rivers and drainage areas, draining loose ashfall from the southern and western slopes of Kanlaon Volcano.
It may occur along the Ibid creek in Barangay Biak Na Bato, Baji-Baji falls and Talaptapan creek in Barangay Cabacungan, all in La Castellana, Phivolcs said.
The Philippine Coast Guard cancelled all sea vessel trips between the islands of Negros, Panay, and Cebu on Monday.
All the local disaster councils are now on red alert status while Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson called on Negrenses to heed the call for preemptive evacuation, if there is a need.
Lacson also cancelled work in provincial government offices on Nov. 4.
The governor, however, said that offices engaged in the delivery of basic, health, preparedness and disaster response services shall continue to operate to ensure the unhampered provision of essential public services.
A similar announcement was made by Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria due to Typhoon Tino, which is approaching the Visayas region.
Classes in all levels, both in public and private, were also suspended in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Mayor Greg Gasataya also suspended work at the Bacolod City Government Center on Nov. 4.
A landslide was reported at Camp Valdez in Barangay Mambaroto, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, which is believed to have been either triggered by the earthquake or heavy rains.
Candoni town in Negros Occidental experienced a magnitude of 5.5 earthquake at about 3 a.m. on Nov. 3.
Eric John Monserate, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said no one was hurt and there were no damage to infrastructures except for minor cracks at the Caningay National High School buildings.| GB
