Fifteen local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental and capital Bacolod City suspended classes at all levels yesterday due to heavy rains caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon.

The Negros Occidental Command Center said LGUs that canceled classes as of noon yesterday include the cities of Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Silay, Sipalay, and Talisay; and the towns of Binalbagan, E.B. Magalona, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, and Pontevedra.

Bacolod acting mayor El Cid Familiaran said he declared suspension of classes after consulting the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

As of press time, classes at all levels in Bacolod, E.B. Magalona and Talisay City are still suspended until today.

A “yellow warning” indicating heavy rainfall was issued at 11:00 a.m. in the province’s southern portion. 

Residents in low-lying areas have been warned of flooding and landslides in mountainous areas.

The state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the enhanced southwest monsoon will bring occasional to frequent rains, particularly in Bicol Region and Western Visayas, despite not under any storm signals. 

“A marine gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas,” Pagasa said./ With reports from PNA / WDJ