AS THE country braces for the possible onslaught of Tropical Depression Samuel, several local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have suspended classes while boat trips from the province were cancelled Tuesday, November 20.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has placed several areas including Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) Number 1 as “Samuel” maintained its strength, packing maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 65 km/h.
TCWS Number 1 was also hoisted over Masbate including Ticao Island, Romblon, southern Oriental Mindoro, southern Occidental Mindoro, Northern Palawan including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
The weather bureau said Samuel is expected to make a landfall over the Eastern Visayas-Caraga area Tuesday evening.
Affected areas will experience moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides, Pagasa said.
“Residents of these areas, especially those living near or in river channels, low-lying and mountainous areas, are advised to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates,” it said.
Classes suspended
As part of the preemptive measures for possible heavy rains and flash floods, several mayors in the province have ordered the suspension of classes in pre-school, elementary, and high school due to Samuel.
Here’s the list of the LGUs that cancelled their classes:
Bacolod City (pre-school)
Bago City (pre-school and elementary)
San Carlos City (pre-school and elementary)
E.B. Magalona (pre-school and elementary)
Victorias City (pre-school and elementary)
Valladolid (pre-school and elementary)
Cadiz City (elementary and high school)
Himamaylan City (all levels)
Escalante City (all levels)
Murcia (all levels)
La Castellana (all levels)
Calatrava (all levels)
Toboso (all levels)
Pontevedra (all levels)
Salvador Benedicto (all levels)
Sea trips cancelled
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has also cancelled all the sea trips in the province as of 5 p.m. Monday, November 19.
Trips of fastcraft and roll-on, roll-off vessels will continue to be suspended Tuesday if there is still a cyclone signal in the province.
Affected sea trips were for fastcraft bound for Iloilo City from Bacolod City and vessels plying from various ports, including San Carlos City to Toledo, Cebu; Escalante City to Tabuelan, Cebu; and Cadiz City to Bantayan Island, Cebu.
The weather bureau advised the fisherfolk and those with small seacraft not to venture out to sea.