Governor Manuel L. Sagarbarria has ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools across Negros Oriental on Thursday, July 9, ahead of the anticipated impact of Typhoon Bavi, locally known as “Inday”.
The directive, contained in Executive Order No. 48, Series of 2026, was issued as a pre-emptive safety measure based on recommendations from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRMC).
While in-person classes are canceled, educational institutions are encouraged to implement alternative modes of learning, such as online or modular instruction, to maintain continuity where feasible, the governor said.
The province-wide suspension comes in response to weather advisories from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which indicate that Typhoon Bavi is expected to bring strong winds and significant rainfall over the Visayas region and Negros Oriental within 24 to 48 hours.
Forecasters have warned of moderate to at times heavy or torrential rainfall on Thursday, raising the risk of sudden flash floods in low-lying and riverine areas, storm surges in coastal communities, and landslides in mountainous barangays with already saturated soil.
Sagarbarria said that the early suspension is imperative to safeguard students, teachers, and school personnel, allowing families sufficient time to secure their homes or prepare for potential evacuations, while also easing traffic congestion on major roads designated for emergency response operations.
In Negros Occidental the following local government units suspended classes:
- Moises Padilla – July 8 to July 10
- San Carlos City – selected barangays
- Isabela – July 8 to July 10
- La Carlota City – July 8
- Himamaylan City – July 8
- Hinoba-an – July 8
- Kabankalan City – July 8
- Hinigaran – July 8
- Binalbagan – July 9 and 10
- La Castellana – July 9 to 10
- Pontevedra – July 8
- Sipalay City – 12nn of July 8 to July 9
- Murcia – July 9*