• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed that classes in public schools of the city will resume on Wednesday, November 12, after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration lifted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal from Super Typhoon Uwan.
According to the mayor, school principals have been given the authority to implement necessary adjustments to class schedules.
The mayor said that the major challenge in public schools are the fallen trees.
“We will assist the Department of Education and the manpower that the city provided in our schools for their own clearing,” Gasataya said.
The city government, in coordination with barangay officials, is currently conducting clearing operations to remove over 300 fallen trees that were toppled during the Typhoon Tino.
As of Monday, Gasataya reported that the clearing operation is already 60 percent complete.
Efforts to clear debris across various barangays and subdivisions are continuous to ensure schools are safe and ready for the return of students.
Gasataya said that the Bacolod Reclamation Area site remains fully prepared to receive the fallen trees and debris that have been collected.
The Negros Island Region was included in the list of provided by Malacañang for class suspension at all levels in both public and private schools on Monday and Tuesday due to Super Typhoon Uwan.
EVACUATION CENTERS
Meanwhile, more than 11,000 individuals are currently staying in various evacuation centers in Bacolod City following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan.
As of 7 a.m. yesterday, 806 families, or 3,226 individuals from coastal areas have heeded the call for preemptive evacuation, as Super Typhoon Uwan approached.
The latest records from the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Bacolod stated that as of 5:00 a.m. yesterday, 178 families, or 8,077 individuals are still residing in evacuation centers after their homes were destroyed by Typhoon Tino.
The DSSD head Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga expressed that the positive response of residents in coastal areas who voluntarily complied with the preemptive evacuation order eased the burden on rescuers during an emergency.
Data indicates that from Typhoon Tino up to Super Typhoon Uwan, a total of 99 evacuation centers were opened, temporarily accommodating 8,812 families.
The records further show that Typhoon Tino resulted in 1,024 totally destroyed homes and 7,685 partially destroyed homes across 36 Barangays in Bacolod City.
Validation of the affected residents and properties in 61 barangays by DSSD Social Workers, Department of Social Welfare and Development Quick Response Team, and Barangay officials is ongoing.
Gasataya said that the main focus of the city government is the major clearing operations, and the distribution of relief goods to evacuated families.*
