Thousands of Negrenses and Bacolodnons were preemptively evacuated Monday, Nov. 3, as Typhoon “Tino” intensified.
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City were both under red alert as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hoisted Signal No. 4, No. 3, and No. 1 over various parts of the province.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya called on residents to comply with calls for preemptive evacuation for their own safety.
Bacolod has identified flood-prone and coastal barangays to be covered by the preemptive evacuation considering the strength of typhoon, Gasataya said.
All Bacolod barangays had evacuation sites ready for any evacuees.
Work at Negros Occidental and Bacolod City government offices have been suspended on Tuesday, except for those tasked with essential services.
Classes have also been suspended.
Gasataya said they strongly encourage private companies to also suspend work, and are urging residents to stay home.
Lacson said all Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) teams provincewide are on heightened alert.
He said preemptive evacuation is being undertaken to aim for zero casualties.
Thousands of residents were being preemptively evacuated in Escalante, EB Magalona, Calatrava, Hinigaran, Isabela, Sagay City, Talisay City, Pulupandan, Pontevedra and La Castellana Monday night, Provincial DRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña said.
In Bacolod City close to 1,000 residents had been preemptively evacuated in barangays 1, 2, 3,13, 14 Tangub, Bata, Sum-ag, Banago, Sum-ag, Villamonte, Singcang, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, and Punta Taytay, City DRRMO head Anna Maria Laarni Pornan said.
There were also 29 individuals, mostly stranded passengers from the Bredco Port, who were brought to the DRRMO Evacuation Center in Barangay Taculing.
SIGNAL NO. 4
Pagasa as of 11 p.m. Monday raised Signal No. 4 over San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, Victorias City, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Murcia, Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, and La Castellana in Negros Occidental.
Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela and Binalbagan were under Signal No. 3., while the rest of Negros Occidental was under Signal No. 2.
NEGROS ORIENTAL
In Negros Oriental Vallehermoso and Canlaon City were under Signal No. 4, Guihulngan, La Libertad and Jimalalud – Signal No. 3, Tayasan, Manjuyod, Tanjay City, Bais City, Mabinay, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, Bayawan City, Basay, Valencia, Dumaguete City and Bacong – Signal No. 2, and the rest of the rest of Negros Oriental – Signal No. 1.
DTI ASSURANCE
Gasataya said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental assures the public that there is an adequate supply of essential goods and basic necessities in major supermarkets and grocery stores in Bacolod City.
These supplies are expected to last for at least one week, with additional replenishments scheduled in the coming days, he said.
In preparation for Tropical Cyclone Tino, the public is encouraged to purchase only what is necessary for their families, being mindful of others’ needs, the mayor added.*