• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 5,339 families, composed of 16,859 individuals in Negros Island Region, were affected by Tropical Depression (TD) Basyang, according to reports of the Office of Civil Defense.
Of the affected, a total of 892 families, or 1,684 individuals, are staying in 33 evacuation centers across the region, while 1,995 other families, composed of 6,792 individuals, are outside of the evacuation centers, OCD – NIR reports indicated.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that TD Basyang is expected to pass Negros Island Region, which is now under Signal Number 1, early morning Saturday, before it will further weaken into a Low Pressure Area (LPA), upon leaving the area of Western Visayas.
In Negros Occidental alone, a total of 1,395 families, comprising 4,662 persons, in 15 towns and cities were affected also by TD Basyang.
Work suspension was also declared by the respective mayors of 21 local government units of Negros Occidental, and classes were suspended on Feb. 6 in all LGUs of the province.
TD Basyang has maximum sustained winds of 55km/h near the center, with gustiness up to 75km/h, according to PAGASA.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II disclosed that the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) are now readying 10,000 food packs for distribution to families displaced by TD Basyang in Negros Occidental.
The Philippine Coast Guard also reported that 22 vessels are now stranded in ports of BREDCO in Bacolod City, as well as in cities of San Carlos, Sagay, Escalante and Cadiz, all in Negros Occidental.
The 235 stranded passengers at the BREDCO Port are now temporarily staying at the 12 classrooms of the ETCS III in Bacolod City, where they are provided with food by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
On the other hand, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also issued a warning of possible flooding, soil erosion and volcanic mudflows at areas surrounding Kanlaon Volcano due to heavy rains induced by TD Basyang.
The affected communities include Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, San Carlos City, in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, whose residents have been advised to be vigilant and prepare for possible evacuations.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region also mobilized its troops and mobility assets to assist the pre-emptive evacuations of residents affected by Basyang.*
