BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1 was hoisted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration over Negros Island, prompting Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to declare Red Alert status in Negros Occidental.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office initially reported that about 3,706 families, composed of 13,710 persons affected by flooding were already provided family food packs by their respective local government units.
A total of 1,044 individuals and 325 cargo trucks were reported by Coast Guard to be stranded in ports of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
In Brgy. Manlucahoc, Sipalay City, seven houses were destroyed and 87 persons were affected by a landslide.
Landslides were also reported in Purok Adelfa, Brgy. San Benito, Calatrava.
In his issued memorandum, Lacson ordered local disaster risk reduction and management councils and operation centers to conduct preemptive or mandatory/forced evacuations, if necessary.
About 2,589 families, composed of 11,615 persons, were affected in Valladolid, while the other LGUs hit by flooding were EB Magalona, Hinobaan, Calatrava and Moises Padilla, along with the cities of San Carlos and Bago.
Aside from classes, work was also suspended yesterday several local government units in Negros Occidental, while all disaster risk reduction management offices of LGUs have been placed on heightened alert in the past few days.
The Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental yesterday suspended sea vessel trips in Region 6 and 7, after Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 was hoisted over the Visayas area.
Suspended were trips from Daan Bantayan via Cadiz City, Negros Occidental; Manila via BREDCO Port; Bacolod City, Dumangas, Iloilo, via BREDCO and Banago Ports in Bacolod City; Iloilo via BREDCO Port in Bacolod City; Tabuelan, Cebu, via Sagay City and Escalante City, Negros Occidental; and Toledo City, Cebu via San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; Coast Guard Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio said in his issued advisory.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 also raised the highest Emergency Preparedness and Response protocol that was activated in Negros Occidental, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and Guimaras.
They were tagged by RDMMC6 as high risk or susceptible to landslides and flooding.* with PNA reports
