The provincial government of Negros Oriental suspended all classes at all levels, both private and public schools and work in government offices on Friday, September 13, due to heavy rains and flooding.
Governor Manuel Sagarbarria made the directive in Executive Order 51 released past 10:00 a.m.
Before this, many local government units had suspended classes as early as Thursday, September 12.
On Thursday evening, some 500 individuals were evacuated to the town gymnasium in Siaton town after rivers swelled, and heavy rains inundated low-lying residential areas.
Earlier in the day, some residents in Zamboanguita also evacuated to safer ground but returned later after flooding subsided, said Adrian Sedillo, Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head.
“We have spread ourselves out as we deployed teams to towns that were flooded and with rivers overflowing already on Thursday. We have to help the local DRRMOs as there are not enough emergency responders in these areas,” Sedillo said in mixed English and Cebuano.
“Governor Manuel Sagarbarria has enjoined all local DRRM councils, DRRM stakeholders and the general public to be vigilant and proactive to minimize the impacts associated with hazards brought about by the present weather conditions,” he added.
Pre-emptive evacuation is ongoing in some areas as heavy downpour continues with close monitoring of river waters in place.
Sedillo said so far, there are no reports of casualties except for damage to property and crops.
Army ready for Kanlaon, bad weather effects
The Philippine Army, meanwhile, said it has mobilized its disaster response task units (DRTUs) to help mitigate the possible impact of the unrest of Mount Kanlaon and of the bad weather.
PA spokesperson, Colonel Louie Dema-ala, said these DRTUs are from the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division.
Aside from these units, DRTUs from the 62nd Infantry Battalion, 79th Infantry Battalion, and 94th Infantry Battalion as well as reservists from the Bacolod City-based 605th Community Defense Center of the Reserve Command, the Philippine Army stands ready for deployment as conditions dictate.
“The PA leadership assured the readiness of Negros-based Army units to help disaster-vulnerable communities amid the threats posed by Mount Kanlaon which remains under Alert Level 2 and Tropical Storm ‘Bebinca’ which is forecasted to enhance the southwest monsoon,” Dema-ala said in a statement. (PNA)