Thousands flee home in Negros due to bad weather; Bacolod City extends class suspension

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SOME 2,000 individuals were forced to leave their homes in Negros Island due to the inclement weather since Wednesday, October 26, brought about by Typhoon Paeng.

State weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that “Paeng” has intensified into a tropical storm at 8 a.m. yesterday while further intensification is likely while moving over warm waters of the Philippine Sea.

The Negros Occidental Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported that some 719 individuals from 144 families were affected by flooding in the province.

Two families of eight in Moises Padilla, 102 families composed of 524 persons in San Carlos City, 20 families or 100 individuals in Calatrava town, and 20 families or 87 individuals in Sipalay City, have already evacuated, PSWDO records showed.

It added that floods submerged Barangay 1 Poblacion in Moises Padilla; Barangays Rizal, 1, 2, 5, and 6 in San Carlos City; Barangay Lemery in Calatrava, and another in Sipalay City.

However, only three families in San Carlos City are staying at the evacuation center.

Torrential rains and flooding also forced local government units to suspend classes.

Localities that have suspended classes included Bago City, Talisay City, Silay City, Murcia, Victorias City, San Carlos, E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Valladolid, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinoba-an, La Carlota City and Sipalay City.

Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), said the disaster risk reduction and management offices will continue to monitor the weather situation as Paeng has already intensified into a tropical storm.

In an advisory, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Council noted that although the province was not directly affected by the tropical disturbance, Negrenses should remain alert for isolated rain showers and thunderstorms, and those living at the river banks should transfer to a more safe area, especially at night.

The DRRM councils have also been advised to heighten preparedness by initiating proactive measures and taking appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods, or landslides, and by monitoring and ensuring that waterways are clear of obstruction and debris.

In Bacolod City, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez extended the suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools in the city until today, October 28, 2022 due to Tropical Depression “Paeng”.

Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas of Bacolod City that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, he added.

Benitez noted that the Pagasa is the agency responsible for assessing and forecasting weather, flood and other conditions essential to the safety and welfare of the people.

The mayor stressed that upon further evaluation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC), the council recommended the suspension of classes at all levels in the city for October 27 and 28, 2022.

“Ensuring public safety and public health of the citizenry takes center stage at this time,” Benitez said.

Dr. Anna Maria Pornan, head of Bacolod City DRRMO, said on Wednesday evening, seven barangays in the city were affected by floods due to heavy rains triggered by Tropical Depression “Paeng.”

She said these barangays include Barangays Singcang-Airport, Pahanocoy, Taculing, Mansilingan, 36, 36 and 39.

She added that there were neck-deep waters in some areas and several residents were also evacuated, adding that affected families have already returned home as the flood water subsided.

Aside from Bacolod City, other LGUs extending the class suspension in their localities until today included Victorias City and E.B. Magalona.

Meanwhile, the 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion of the Philippine Army in partnership with the Social Welfare Development Office in Region 7, the Guihulngan City Government and the local police conducted Disaster Response and Rescue Operations to affected families and individuals in Barangay Poblacion on Wednesday night.

As of 7 p.m. of that day, the city government and DSWD have already reported more than 187 families or 1,101 individuals have been affected by the flood and evacuated from their homes.

They are now in the temporary evacuation center including the city’s gymnasium with modular tents for their temporary shelter provided by the CDRRMO.

As this developed, Guihulngan City has already declared the suspension of classes in all levels in all public and private schools as it urged the public to remain calm and vigilant for everyone’s safety.

It also assured that the Emergency Operations Center is already in place for the management of the crisis.

In a related development, the Pagasa noted that Tropical Storm Paeng is forecast to track generally west northwestward over the Philippine Sea on Sunday while moving towards the central or northern portion of Luzon.

Based on its forecast track, “Paeng” may pass close to Catanduanes on Saturday and a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portions of Central Luzon or mainland Cagayan Valley.

Considering recent shifts in the forecast track, a possible southward shift in the possible area of landfall especially at the eastern portion of Southern Luzon is not ruled out at this time.*

SunStar Bacolod

SunStar Bacolod

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