BY JEN BAYLON
The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has been placed under blue alert due to inclement weather brought about by the combined effects of Tropical Storm “Enteng” and the southwest monsoon.
“Concerned offices, agencies and city or municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices are advised to continuously monitor, conduct preemptive evacuation if necessary, and submit situational reports,” the PDRRMO memorandum said.
PDRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña said that while “Enteng” will not directly impact Negros Occidental, it will intensify the southwest monsoon or habagat, which will lead to increased rainfall.
No flooding had been reported across the province as of 9:00 a.m. yesterday.
Ploteña said Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices in each local government unit (LGU) in the province will advise residents to evacuate immediately in case of floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall, based on their La Niña preparedness plans.
Meanwhile, in capital Bacolod City, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has also been placed on blue alert status amid the inclement weather.
It has activated its emergency operations center and disaster online reporting and monitoring system.
Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran reported that the CDRRMO’s evacuation center is ready to accommodate evacuees affected by flooding.
As of press time, there have been no reports of flooding or damaged homes enough to require evacuation.
Work, class suspensions
In response to the severe weather, several LGUs announced the cancellation of classes in public and private schools yesterday.
The LGUs which declared cancellation of classes were the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, and San Carlos, as well as the municipalities of Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Isabela, and Hinoba-an.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has also suspended work in all provincial government offices from 12:00 noon onwards.
The suspension was confirmed through a memorandum order approved by acting provincial administrator Atty. Alberto Nellas, Jr.
“Those who are vital shall continue to be on duty as scheduled,” the memo said.
Sea trips suspended
The Coast Guard Station-Northern Negros Occidental has temporarily suspended all ferry trips from Bacolod to Manila as of 11:00 a.m. yesterday due to Tropical Storm “Enteng.”
Five rolling cargoes and 145 containers were stranded at the Bredco Port as of 8:00 a.m. yesterday.
Ferry operations are expected to resume once weather conditions improve.
In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Enteng” was last located in the vicinity of Maddela in Quirino province, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts of up to 140 kph.
“Enteng” was moving north northwestward at 20 kph.
Pagasa warned of intense rainfall due to habagat over parts of Luzon and Visayas within the next three days. / With reports from ABS-CBN News / JB, WDJ