• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / THERESA MAE DULMAN
As Tropical Storm Basyang is expected to hit Visayas on February 6, sea travel has been temporarily suspended in provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, while no classes were reported in 18 local government units of Negros Island Region, according to the Office of Civil Defense- Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR).
Signal Number 2 is now hoisted in Siquijor and in the southern portion of Negros Oriental, including Dumaguete City, San Jose, Valencia, Bacong, Amlan, Dauin, Sibulan, and Zamboaguita, while remaining areas of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental have been placed under Signal Number 1 by the state weather bureau PAGASA.
Donato Sermeno III, OCD regional director for NIR, advised various local government units across the region to implement pre-emptive evacuations, as the Department of Social Welfare and Development started to pre-positioned family food packs to residents that may be affected by the weather disturbance.
Sermeno also placed on red alert status all local disaster councils, as he expects heavy rainfall across the region on Friday.
More than 150 evacuation sites – primarily public schools, covered courts, and barangay halls – have been prepared with temporary sleeping areas, clean water stations, and sanitation facilities. “Residents in areas identified as prone to storm surges, flooding, and landslides are being encouraged to move to evacuation centers voluntarily”, Sermeno said.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office is also readying the deployment of its 264 personnel for search and rescue operations, provincial police spokesman P/Capt. Judesses Catalogo said.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that more than 200 vessels have already been secured in designated safe harbors across the region.
The Yanson Group of Bus Companies has also cancelled all RoRo trips from Bacolod to Cebu, and Bacolod to Zamboanga.
Heavy rains may also trigger landslides in some areas of Kanlaon Volcano, PHIVOLCS research specialist Engr. Mary Andelene Quintia disclosed.
“Our priority is to ensure zero casualties and minimize damage to property and infrastructure,” Sermeno said.
500 STRANDED IN BACOLOD
At least 500 passengers, drivers, and helpers are currently stranded at the Simplicio A. Palanca Seaport Terminal at the BREDCO port in Bacolod City after sea travel was suspended due to Typhoon Basyang.
According to Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Assistant Head Alma Gustilo, the affected individuals include approximately 250 drivers and helpers.
As of press time, data from the Bacolod City Communications Office stated that there are at least 225 stranded passengers.
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the DSSD have already mobilized to provide essential aid, including transportation, temporary housing, and emergency support services to those affected.
Gustilo said the DSSD also checked if the stranded individuals have relatives within the city so they can return home temporarily instead of staying at evacuation centers.
For those with no place to stay, the city has prepared an evacuation center at Education and Training Center School III to provide temporary shelter.
The DSSD has also activated its Quick Response Team and coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for potential augmentation of resources.
Authorities continue to monitor the weather situation as they wait for the ‘all clear’ signal to resume maritime operations.*
