Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1 was hoisted by the weather bureau over Negros Island Oct. 28, prompting Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to place Negros Occidental under a Red Alert status.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office initially reported that about 3,706 families, composed of 13,710 persons, were affected by flooding and already provided with family food packs by their respective local government units.
In Brgy. Manlucahoc, Sipalay City, seven houses were destroyed and 87 persons were affected by a landslide.
Another landslide was also reported in Purok Adelfa, Brgy. San Benito, Calatrava.
Lacson issued a memorandum ordering local disaster risk reduction and management councils and operation centers in the province to conduct preemptive or mandatory/forced evacuation, if necessary.
About 2,589 families, composed of 11,615 persons, were affected by heavy rains in Valladolid, while other LGUs hit with flooding included EB Magalona, Hinobaan, San Carlos, Bago, Calatrava, and Moises Padilla.
In Bacolod City, the Public Information Office said 10 families from barangays 31, Punta Taytay, and Singcang have been evacuated, as flooding affected barangays 39, Punta Taytay, Estefania, 35, 36, Mandalagan, Taculing, Sum-ag, and Alijis.
The Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also urged officials of coastal and flood-prone barangays to activate their DRRM units and strictly monitor their respective areas for possible flooding and landslide, due to heavy/intense rain and strong winds.
Aside from classes, work was suspended in several local government units in Negros Occidental Friday, while all DRRMOs have been on heightened alert the past few days.
The Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental likewise suspended sea trips after TCWS 1 was hoisted over the Visayas area, the National Capital Region, and other parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
Suspended were trips from Daan Bantayan via Cadiz City, Manila via Bredco Port, Dumangas (Iloilo) via Bredco and Banago ports, Iloilo via Bredco Port, Tabuelan (Cebu) via Sagay City and Escalante City, and Toledo City (Cebu) via San Carlos City.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 also raised the highest Emergency Preparedness and Response Protocol and activated this over Negros Occidental, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.
They were tagged by the RDRRMC6 as high risk or susceptible to landslide and flooding./GB, PNA
