Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria suspended afternoon and evening classes yesterday due to heavy rainfall and potential flooding triggered by Typhoon “Tapah” (formerly “Lannie”).

Executive Order No. 19, series of 2025, was signed and posted by the governor on his Facebook page around noon yesterday.

Should heavy rains persist on Tuesday, September 9, local chief executives may, at their discretion, also suspend classes and work in their “respective territorial jurisdictions pursuant to Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012,” the governor said.

Some parts of Negros Oriental, including this capital city, reported moderate to heavy rainfall beginning Sunday evening, September 7, through yesterday, with certain areas being closely monitored for potential flooding.

Adrian Sedillo, who heads the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they are closely monitoring areas that are prone to landslides and flooding as intermittent rains continued throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said police are also alerted for possible flooding in vulnerable areas amid intermittent rains over the weekend.

Polinar confirmed that two girls were reported stranded in the middle of a river on Saturday, September 6, as flash floods caused the water to rise in Barangay Balugo, Guihulngan City.

The village chief of Balugo in Guihulngan City informed the local police that the girls managed to navigate themselves to safety.

A government dump truck was also reported abandoned in the middle of a river by its driver in Bais City after the water rose due to flash floods. (PNA)