By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – At least 719 individuals or 144 families in Negros Occidental were affected by flooding on Wednesday night due to Tropical Storm “Paeng.”
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) reported that as of 8 a.m. Oct. 27, two families composed of eight individuals in Moises Padilla, 102 families or 524 persons in San Carlos City, 20 families or 100 individuals in Calatrava town, and 20 families or 87 individuals in Sipalay City, were displaced.
Flooding was reported in Barangay 1 Poblacion, Moises Padilla town, Barangays Rizal, 1, 2, 5, and 6 in San Carlos City, Barangay Lemery in Calatrava town, and one barangay in Sipalay City.
Of the total number of affected families, only three in San Carlos City are still staying at the evacuation center.
Early this week, a landslide was also reported in San Carlos City.
Meanwhile, 17 families who were evacuated here on the same night due to flooding, have returned to their respective houses, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
CLASS SUSPENSION
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools here on October 27 and 28.
Aside from Bacolod, classes were also suspended in the cities of San Carlos, La Carlota, Silay, Talisay, Bago, Victorias, and Sipalay, and in the towns of Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, Toboso, La Castellana, Don Salvador Benedicto, San Enrique, Murcia, Calatrava, E.B. Magalona, Valladolid, and Hinoba-an.
Some of these local government units (LGUs) suspended classes starting Oct. 27 until further notice due to flooding in some areas of their locality.
The Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) continues to monitor the situation of every locality, especially in low-lying areas and flood-prone areas.
EVACUATION IN NEGROS ORIENTAL
On the other hand, the Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) conducted disaster response and rescue operations for affected families and individuals in Barangays Poblacion and Buenavista in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday night.
As of 7 p.m., the local government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that at least 187 families or 1,101 individuals from Barangay Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, and one family or seven persons from Barangay Buenavista were evacuated due to flooding. They are temporarily staying at the city’s gymnasium.
The city government also declared the suspension of classes on Oct. 27, at all levels in public and private schools.
