By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially declared the start of the rainy season yesterday.

In an official statement released by the weather bureau, they explained the declaration was based on parameters in which rainfall criteria must satisfy, what they referred to as, Type 1 climate stations.

They noted widespread rainfall was recorded at their weather stations throughout the country, due to the southwest monsoon.

Based on today’s PAGASA forecast, the Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, will occasionally experience heavy rains with scattered thunderstorms due to the said storm system.

Fishermen in the region are also advised to be cautious as sea conditions are forecasted to be between moderate to rough.

Following recent flooding along Lacson Street, the Department of Public Works and Highways chief construction section in Bacolod City assured city residents flooding along the primary thoroughfare will reduce once the drainage system currently being installed is complete, which is expected by this year.

DPWH-Bacolod Engineer Ferdinand Magada, however, admitted installation of the flood control system has been affected by the current rainy weather./WDJ