Bacolod City and at least nine other local government units in Negros have suspended classes on Monday, Sept. 2, as tropical depression “Enteng” intensified into a storm.
Enteng enhanced by the southwest monsoon will bring heavy rains over the Negros Island Region on Monday although it will not make a direct hit, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its advisory.
The center of Enteng’s eye was estimated over the coastal waters of Bagamanoc, Catanduanes at 11 p.m. Sunday.
Acting Bacolod Mayor El Cid Familiaran told DIGICAST NEGROS all classes from preschool to senior high school in Bacolod City are cancelled on Monday with Enteng having intensified into a storm.
The Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office is now on blue alert, which means that all DRRMO personnel and equipment are placed on standby in case of emergency.
Victorias, Talisay and San Carlos cities, and Don Salvador Benedicto, EB Magalona, Pulupandan, Isabela and Hinoba-an towns in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental have also suspended classes Monday.
Don Salvador Benedicto in its advisory said classes were being cancelled at all levels Monday because of forecasted heavy rainfall over the town.
Mayor Marvin Malacon suspended face-to-face classes in EB Magalona on Monday and ordered a shift to the modular modality of learning at all levels in public and private schools in E. B. Magalona due to expected heavy rains and strong winds.
The public is further advised to brace for flooding that is expected in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas, he said.
Mayor Miguel Peña also announced that classes would be cancelled at all levels in Pulupandan town.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said in the interest of everyone’s safety, all in-person or face-to-face classes at the elementary and secondary levels in both public and private schools in San Carlos City will be suspended Monday.
“I urge all residents, especially those in flood and landslide-prone areas, to take every necessary precaution. Please stay safe and look out for one another during this time,” Gustilo said.
Mayor Neil Lizares suspended all classes from preschool to senior high school in Talisay City Monday.
“For the state universities being autonomous Institutions, we leave it to their discretion to make their own declarations,” he said.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez suspended classes at all levels in Victorias City “due to extreme heavy rainfall”.*