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Bacolod, other LGUs suspend classes, Negros on blue alert

Flooding in San Carlos City on Wednesday.*photo courtesy of Jose Alingasa

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has placed Negros Occidental under Blue Alert, while classes have been suspended in Bacolod City and several other local government units on Thursday, May 4, amid expected heavy rainfall.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Wednesday night announced that classes at all levels in public and private schools in Bacolod City will be suspended Thursday, May 4, because a heavy rainfall warning has been issued over Negros Occidental.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed the province under Orange rainfall warning, Benitez said

San Carlos City, Victorias City, Pulupandan and EB Magalona are also suspending classes on Thursday.

Mayor Renato Gustilo issued an executive order Wednesday extending the suspension of classes at all levels in San Carlos City until Thursday due to heavy rains “that have been causing urban flooding”.

Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez also ordered the suspension of classes in Victorias City “in view of the heavy rainfall and flooding brought by rain in the major parts of the city and in consideration of PAGASA’s issuance of a Heavy Rainfall Warning placing Negros Occidental under Orange Warning Level, and, most importantly, for everyone’s safety”.

Mayor Miguel Peña also extended the suspension of all classes in Pulupandan to Thursday due to continuing inclement weather and flooding in certain areas of the town.

Mayor Marvin Malacon ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools in EB Magalona on Thursday, but work in government offices will continue.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the alert status at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Emergency Operation Center at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City was raised to Blue Alert on Wednesday, until the weather condition improves.

This is due to the Low Pressure Area embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone that is bringing continuous rains, which may cause possible flooding and landslides in Negros Occidental, he said.

All concerned agencies, offices, and city and municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices were advised to raise their alert status to Blue and conduct pre-emptive evacuation if necessary, Diaz said.

San Carlos City and Pulupandan had also suspended classes on Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall submerged low lying areas in flood waters in San Carlos City on Wednesday, Joe Alingasa Jr., and City DRRM Officer, said.

Two families were evacuated in Barangay Rizal while several motorists were stranded along the national highway leading to Calatrava due to the floods, he added.

The City DRRMO Operations Center has raised Unified Alert Level 3 (Code Orange) over San Carlos City, Alingasa said.*

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