BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than 4,000 Negrenses evacuated from their respected homes due to floods caused by Tropical Depression Agaton, as classes and work in several local government units in Negros Occidental were suspended.
Likewise, sea travel in northern Negros and Cebu remains suspended, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
However, despite the inclement weather, trips at the BREDCO and Banago Ports in Bacolod City to Iloilo City and Dumangas remained unaffected.
Mayor Marvin Malacon reported last night that 650 families, composed of about 1,500 individuals in 11 barangays of EB Magalona were evacuated from their homes due to rising flood waters.
Malacon added that food packs were distributed immediately to affected families.
Social Welfare and Development Officer Dionelo Madrona reported that 218 families, composed of 1,170 persons were evacuated from their respective homes in nine Talisay City barangays.
A total of 109 families, composed of 411 persons from six barangays of Silay City were temporarily dislocated by the floods and sought shelters in barangay halls, covered courts and school classrooms.
An initial of 962 individuals also left their homes in the different barangays of Victorias City due to rising flood waters.
Since April 10, the Philippine Coast Guard has suspended sea travel from Escalante City in Negros Occidental to Tabuelan, Cebu, and from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to Toledo City, also in Cebu.
The PCG reported yesterday that a total of 259 stranded passengers were stranded at the ports of Sagay, Escalante and San Carlos cities in Negros Occidental.
The Bacolod City Schools Division of the Department of Education also ordered yesterday the suspension of face-to-face classes in seven schools in Bacolod City as moderate to heavy rains continued to pour.
Classes and work in government offices in Negros Occidental, namely EB Magalona, Talisay City, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Salvador Benedicto and Silay City were suspended,while only classes were called off in San Carlos Cityby Mayor Renato Gustilo.
Negros Occidental also remains on red alert status, as continuous rains caused flooding in some low-lying areas, with the Malihaw River in Victorias City exceeded the spilling level of 12 feet, reaching as high as 14.8 feet, as of 6.28 p.m. of April 11, before it subsided.
While there is no storm signal in Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson reminded Negrenses that the province is still under red alert status.*
