Sea travel between northern Negros and Cebu remains suspended, as Tropical Depression Agaton also caused floods that prompted several local government units in Negros Occidental to suspend work and classes.
Since April 10, the Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel from Escalante City in Negros Occidental to Tabuelan, Cebu, and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to Toledo City, also in Cebu, after PAGASA placed several areas in Central Visayas under Signal No. 1.
The PCG reported on April 11 that some 259 passengers were stranded at the ports of Sagay, Escalante, and San Carlos, all in Negros Occidental.
The Bacolod City Schools Division of the Department of Education also ordered this morning the suspension of face-to-face classes in seven schools in Bacolod City, following moderate to heavy rains and rising floodwater in several areas.
The suspension order was issued by Assistant Schools Division Superintendent OIC Reynaldo Gico, in coordination with the Office of Mayor Evelio Leonardia, through Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Covered by Gico’s directive are the Alangilan National High School, Alangilan SHS and Farm School, Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Andres Bonifacio ES II, Education and Training Center School III, Alberto Arceo Sr. Elementary School, and Rafael Alunan Elementary School.
Classes and work in government offices were also suspended in EB Magalona, Talisay City, Cadiz City, Victorias City, and Silay City, while Mayor Renato Gustilo only suspended classes in San Carlos City, all in Negros Occidental.
Negros Occidental also remains on red alert status, as continuous rains caused flooding in some low-lying areas, and the Malihaw River in Victorias City already exceeded spilling level at 12 feet, after the water level reached 14 feet, as of 2 o’clock this afternoon.
More than 50 families have been evacuated in Brgy. Zone 8, Talisay City, while 24 individuals evacuated from their homes in Purok San Jose, Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, due to a landslide.
Meanwhile, the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative said it temporarily disconnected power in some areas of Manapla and Victorias City, as of 4:05 p.m. for safety purposes, following the continuous rise in the water level.
It said that affected areas in Victorias include the whole coverage area of Canetown Subd., St. Martin 2, Salvacion Subd., Pangarap Village, Miraflores, Hikari Village, and Mallorca; as well as Brgy. 1A and Hda. Lourdes in Manapla.
Despite the inclement weather condition, trips at the Bredco and Banago ports in Bacolod City to Iloilo City and Dumangas continue, as of this posting./GB
