The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) declared Negros Occidental under a Storm Signal No. 1 as Tropical Storm Basyang approaches the country.

According to PDRRMO head Zeaphard Caelian, the public should monitor local television and radio for any updates about the storm.

The agency is also under a ‘blue alert,’ the second highest alert level, which means government agencies are currently conducting constant monitoring and preparing relief and rescue efforts.

Caelian noted, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) has already stockpiled relief supplies.

The storm signal also means sea travel is suspended.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod station commander, Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, confirmed all trips bound for Iloilo City, Manila, and cities in Mindanao are suspended, which has resulted in stranded passengers at both the Bredco Port and the San Carlos City Port.

Caelian said Basyang was last spotted 435 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph), gusting up to 80 kph.

Basyang is forecasted to pass over the central or southern part of Negros tomorrow morning, along with generating heavy rains across the province between this evening and Wednesday./DGB, WDJ