By CESAR JOLITO III
Malacañang declared a suspension of classes at all levels in Negros Occidental and 26 other provinces today in anticipation of the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong.”
The Palace issued Memorandum Circular No. 102 yesterday, which states that classes in the province and other nearby areas are suspended “to ensure public safety.”
Earlier, several local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental declared class suspensions in anticipation of heavy rains due to “Opong” and the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Among the LGUs that declared the suspension of face-to-face classes on Friday, September 26, are the municipalities of Isabela, Manapla, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, and Toboso.
The cities of Cadiz, Himamaylan, Silay, San Carlos, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias also declared a suspension of in-person classes.
E.B. Magalona town canceled both classes and government work yesterday afternoon, while Sipalay City also suspended work in government offices on Friday.
In capital Bacolod, Mayor Greg Gasataya announced a suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools in the city on Friday, based on a heavy rainfall warning due to “Opong.”
However, pursuant to Executive Order No. 55, private schools with asynchronous and online classes may continue at the discretion of their school administration.
Negros Occidental was under a yellow rainfall advisory, which gives LGUs the discretion to suspend classes and work.
Based on guidelines, an orange rainfall advisory automatically suspends classes at all levels, while a red rainfall advisory triggers suspension of both classes and work.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the class suspension was a precautionary step, as unpredictable weather conditions could trigger heavy rains across the province.
“It’s just a preparation for the typhoon, which right now is forecast to pass north of us. Nowadays, you really can’t tell — sudden downpours may happen,” Lacson told reporters yesterday.
Red alert
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Provincial Emergency Operations Center raised the red alert yesterday following Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum No. 11, placing the entire Negros Island Region (NIR) on heightened readiness.
Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the red alert requires all concerned agencies, including the Provincial Health Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to remain on standby for deployment in case of emergencies.
“This means our response teams are ready to be mobilized anytime incidents are reported or when LGUs request assistance,” Ploteña stressed.
She emphasized that under current protocols, decisions on class suspensions remain under the discretion of each LGU.
Donato Sermeno III, head of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in NIR, urged the public to remain vigilant and heed local authorities.
“Consider preemptive evacuation upon the advice of local authorities,” Sermeno stressed.
Communities surrounding Kanlaon, particularly La Castellana town, are advised to prepare for possible lahar flow triggered by heavy rains.
“Opong” was last tracked 195 kilometers east-northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, or 225 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, weather bureau Pagasa said in its 5:00 p.m. bulletin yesterday.
It maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Signal No. 1 was hoisted in the northern portion of Negros Occidental, particularly in Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, Victorias City, E.B. Magalona, Silay City, and Talisay City.
Rains with gusty winds are forecast in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and Iloilo, including Negros Occidental, Pagasa said. / With reports from PNA / CJ, WDJ