Tropical Depression “Basyang” intensified into a storm and Wind Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over the Negros Island Region, the state weather bureau said at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4.
The center of Tropical Storm “Basyang” was 560 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Wind Signal No. 1 over Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Negros Oriental in the NIR, and Guimaras and Iloilo in Western Visayas.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson placed emergency response teams in Negros Occidental on Red Alert starting Wednesday, Feb. 4, as “Basyang” approached.
Pagasa said there will be heavy rains over Negros Occidental on Friday and Saturday.
Mayor Greg Gasataya suspended classes at all levels in Bacolod City on Thursday, February 5, on the recommendation of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council with the concurrence of the Department of Education, due to the Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning issued by PAGASA for Bacolod City in relation to “Basyang”.
Schools are encouraged to shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, and projects to ensure that learning competencies are met, he said.
The Bacolod Emergency Operations Center has been placed under Red Alert status to ensure heightened monitoring, rapid response, and coordinated action among all concerned agencies, Benitez said.
Numerous other local government units in Negros Occidental have also suspended classes.
Classes are suspended in Manapla on Thursday, Feb. 5, and in Moises Padilla and Calatrava on Friday, Feb. 6.
Classes in Talisay City, San Carlos City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Silay City, La Castellana, Isabela, Cauayan, Himamaylan City, Pontevedra and Hinigaran are suspended on Thursday and Friday.
Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools in Negros Oriental on Thursday and Friday.
Gov. Jake Villa suspended classes in Siquijor on Thursday until further notice.
Lacson, in Memorandum No. 02-04-02, directed all local councils and disaster offices in Negros Occidental to maintain the highest level of readiness.
The Red Alert status is necessary for continuous monitoring of both the weather disturbance and Kanlaon Volcano, Lacson said.
All concerned offices, agencies, and Local DRRMOs in the province are enjoined to take extra precautionary measures in implementing all critical preparedness actions with emphasis on conducting pre-emptive evacuation, if deemed necessary, Lacson said.
The storm looks like it will hit southern Negros but it could change course, he said, adding that he hopes it will slow down.
“What is important is to be prepared”, Lacson said.*
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