Classes in Negros Occidental remain suspended

BACOLOD CITY - Classes in all levels in Negros Occidental are still on Friday, Jan. 13, due to inclement weather caused by low pressure area.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order on Thursday, Jan. 12, stating suspension of classes in all levels from 4 p.m. of Jan. 12 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 13 (Friday).

Lacson said the province was placed under yellow warning level with possible flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.

Prior to the said order, some local chief executives had already suspended the classes on Jan. 11 (Wednesday) and 12 (Thursday).

The governor cited in the executive order that ‘in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices may be implemented by local chief executives, as chairmen of the local disaster risk reduction and management centers (DRRMC) concerned, specifically in flood prone or high risk areas.’

Lacson recalled that the province experienced continuous rain from Jan. 1 to 8, 2021, affecting 98 barangays and 41,584 families consisting of 183,512 individuals, with three casualties, and 1,641 houses damaged.

He said the alert status of the province shall be maintained under Blue Alert until weather conditions improve.

He directed all city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices to maintain the status and conduct pre-emptive evacuation if necessary.

Meanwhile, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo ‘Albee’ Benitez also extended the suspension of classes in elementary and high school here on Jan. 13.