By Tara Yap
Roxas City— With parts of Western Visayas now under Storm Signal No. 2 in preparation for the arrival of typhoon Tisoy, the region has been placed under blue alert category.
Dark clouds hover over Roxas City, Capiz Monday afternoon as Typhoon Tisoy has strengthened. Areas in northern Panay Island including Capiz are now under Storm Signal No. 2. (Tara Yap/Manila Bulletin)
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director for Western Visayas Jose Roberto Nuñez said there is no change in the blue level alert category.
As of 5 p.m. Monday, weather bureau Pagasa placed the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, and Antique under Storm Signal No. 2.
The same storm signal is hoisted in the northern and central parts of Iloilo including the
towns of Janiuay, Badiangan, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, Dingle, Dueñas, Lambunao, Passi, San Enrique, Banate, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Bingawan, Lemery, Ajuy, Sara, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Batad, Estancia, Balasan, and Carles.
Also affected are northern portions of Negros Occidental province including Talisay, Calatrava, Silay, Enrique B. Magalona, Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, and Toboso.
The majority of mayors in those areas suspended school on Monday even if there was only intermittent slight rainfall. Some areas even experienced brief periods of sunshine Monday morning.
The storm signal also caused the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to suspend inter-island boat trips Monday.
Nuñez said people should be vigilant and not let their guard down, especially in areas prone to floods and landslide.
Nuñez, who chairs the Western Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), said those areas have already been identified. He advised that they should evacuate if the need arises.