Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson placed Negros Occidental on blue alert and classes in almost all of the local government units in the province were cancelled as rain continued to pour on Wednesday, January 11.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also suspended elementary and high school level classes in Bacolod City on Wednesday.
Lacson suspended work at provincial government offices, except for those tasked with emergency response, at 4 p.m. Wednesday “for the safety of everyone.”
Mayor Neil Lizares said the suspension of classes at all levels in Talisay City would continue until Thursday to give Talisaynons “a chance to recover from the after effects of the heavy downpour and because of the continuing forecast of rain”.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo also said classes in pre-school, elementary and secondary levels in Bago City would remain suspended on Thursday due to anticipated “bad weather”.
The rain is being triggered by a shear line and low pressure area, Zephard Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head, said.
Lacson directed all Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices in Negros Occidental to go on blue alert Wednesday until the weather condition improves as the continuous rains could trigger flooding and landslides.
“Let’s pray, prepare and be proactive,” Caelian said.
Gov. Roel Degamo placed Negros Oriental under red alert and suspended classes province wide “due to threat of flooding and landslides” on Wednesday until further notice.*