Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have suspended work in government offices on Friday, Feb. 6, as the state weather bureau hoisted Wind Signals No. 1 and 2 over the province ahead of the approaching Tropical Storm “Basyang”.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he was suspending work in provincial government offices due to the state weather bureau’s warning of orange or heavy rainfall on Friday in relation to the effects of “Basyang”.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts stormy weather with gusty winds in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental throughout Friday, Lacson said.
A significant amount of rainfall is anticipated between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. due to prevailing northerly winds as “Basyang” approaches Negros Island, increasing the risk of flooding, road hazards, and other weather-related dangers, the governor said.
Work in all Negros Occidental provincial government offices will be suspended for the safety of employees, he said.
However, offices involved in emergency response, disaster risk reduction and management, health and social welfare services, maintenance of peace and order, and other essential services shall continue to operate to ensure the safety and welfare of the public, Lacson said.
Bacolod and numerous other local government units have also suspended classes in all public and private schools on Friday.
In neighboring Negros Oriental, Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria has also suspended work in all government offices and classes throughout the province on Friday.
SIGNALS 1 AND 2
The PAGASA in its bulletin issued at 11 p.m. Thursday said that southern Negros Occidental — including Candoni, Sipalay City, Ilog, Kabankalan City, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Valladolid, Pulupandan, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra and Hinigaran — are under Typhoon Signal No. 2, while the rest of the province remains under Signal No. 1.
Heavy rains are expected to impact Negros Occidental through Friday and Saturday.
Signal No. 2 has also been raised over Siquijor are Negros Oriental.
BACOLOD ORDER
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the suspension of work in government offices and classes in Bacolod City was due to an orange heavy rainfall warning issued over the city.
However, offices whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, or other vital services shall continue their operations, he said.
Schools are encouraged to shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, and projects to ensure that learning competencies are met, Gasataya said.
The suspension of work for private companies, business establishments, and institutions is left to the discretion of their respective management and administrators, he said.
The Bacolod Emergency Operations Center remains under Red Alert Status to ensure heightened monitoring, rapid response, and coordinated action among all concerned agencies.
OTHER LGUs
Other Negros Occidental LGUs that suspended government work on Friday include Cauayan, San Carlos City, Hinigaran, Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, and Victorias City.
RED ALERT
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council–Negros Island Region (RDRRMC-NIR) said that its continued Red Alert status is due to the combined risks posed by severe weather disturbances and the ongoing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2.
SEA TRAVEL SUSPENDED
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that sea travel to and from Negros remains suspended until further notice.*
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