The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Oriental has alerted its personnel for the possible effects of Tropical Depression Crising.
Coast Guard Station-Negros Oriental commander, Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, said July 17 that they are now under “blue alert”.
“We are now keeping an eye on flood-prone areas, like Siaton and Sta. Catalina, where rivers swell during heavy rainfall,” Enopia told the Philippine News Agency, adding the blue alert level means that Coast Guard personnel in the various sub-stations are on standby for immediate response when necessary.
Coast Guard personnel reminded local fisherfolk about their movement during bad weather and to heed advisories.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Negros Oriental is under yellow rainfall category, as of noon yesterday.
Governor Manuel Sagarbarria has declared a suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools in the province due to Crising.
Sagarbarria also issued an executive order suspending classes late Wednesday, as Crising was expected to intensify the southwest monsoon and bring rains that will affect many parts of the country.
The order remains in effect until lifted, the governor said.
Some shipping lines also cancelled their scheduled trips from Dumaguete due to Tropical Depression Crising, which enhanced the southwest monsoon.
At least seven trips plying the Dumaguete-Siquijor and Dumaguete-Dapitan (Mindanao) were cancelled by Montenegro Shipping Lines, MV Evaristo Ferry, and MV FastCat M11.
Enopia said Ocean Jet also announced its cancellation of trips later in the day.
She said the shipping companies took the initiative to suspend sea travel by noontime.
“Despite the absence of a tropical cyclone wind signal and gale storm warning over Negros Oriental, the shipping lines announced their cancellation of trips after the weather worsened by midday,” Enopia said.
No individuals were reported stranded inside the passenger terminal at the city’s port, as the shipping lines had already stopped issuing tickets, she added. ||
