By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – More than 2,000 individuals in the northern part of Negros Occidental were affected by heavy rains brought by tropical depression “Auring,” Sunday night.
Based on the data from the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), 359 families composed of 1,252 individuals in Barangays Rizal, 1, and 5 in San Carlos City temporarily took shelter in three elementary schools.
In Sagay City, 183 families composed of 639 individuals in Barangays Himoga-an Baybay, Old Sagay, and Taba-ao also evacuated.
Relief assistance was already provided to the evacuees seeking temporary shelter in barangay halls, elementary schools, daycare center, and church in the city.
In Toboso town, 66 families composed of 238 individuals from Barangays Tabun-ac, Salamanca, and San Jose were also transferred to three schools for their temporary shelter.
In Escalante City, 106 families composed of 106 residents from Barangays Malasibog, Magsaysay, Jonob-Jonob, and Libertad were also evacuated.
PDMPD head Zeaphard Caelian said that most local government units (LGUs) in northern province conducted pre-emptive evacuation.
Some of the affected residents have already returned to their respective homes on Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, in Talisay City, residents of Barangays Zone 2, Zone 10, Zone 12A, Zone 14A, and Zone 14B, experienced minor flooding, based on the Facebook post of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Evacuation was reported in Barangays Zone 12 and Zone 14B on Monday morning. Food assistance was already provided to the affected residents.
Mayor Francis Fredrick Palanca issued an Executive Order for the localized suspension of classes in primary and secondary levels in public and private schools in Victorias City on February 22.
He said in the order that it is a precautionary proactive measure in anticipation of any untoward incident as recommended by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Also, Mayor Marvin Malacon ordered the suspension of classes in all levels both in public and private schools in E.B. Magalona town, as well as the suspension of work in local government offices on February 22.
