• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted in 10 northern Negros cities and municipalities yesterday as Severe Tropical Storm Opong continues to intensify, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Strong winds will be experienced in northern Negros, including the cities of Escalante, Sagay, Cadiz, Victorias, Silay and Talisay as well as the municipalities of Toboso, Calatrava, Manapla and E.B. Magalona.
The Philippine Coast Guard Northern Negros Occidental issued an advisory suspending sea travel from Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos ports in Negros Occidental to Tabuelan and Toledo ports in Cebu and vice versa.
Malacañang suspended classes at all levels in Negros Occidental on Sept. 26 while Governor Manuel Sagarbarria issued an executive order, suspending classes in Negros Oriental on the same day.
The threat of Severe Tropical Storm Opong has prompted the Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region to hoist of a red alert status across the region.
“It’s just a preparation for the typhoon, which right now is going to hit above us. It’s in preparation just in case. Nowadays, you really can’t tell, all of a sudden we experience very heavy rains,” Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region placed all its police units on heightened alert, directing them to undertake proactive measures, including but not limited to deployment and readiness of the reactionary standby support force and organization of search and rescue teams.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has heightened its preparedness measures on the expected heavy rainfall and potential hazards across Negros Occidental. | GB
