BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government of Negros Oriental suspended classes on all levels and work in government offices on Friday, September 13, due to rains and flood triggered by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria issued Executive Order (EO) No. 51 citing Section 2 of presidential EO No. 66, Series of 2012, which provides that in the absence of typhoon signal warnings from the 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 such as chairmen of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) concerned in coordination with PAGASA and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC), specifically in flood-prone or high risk areas.
EO 51, citing the latest advisory of PAGASA, stated that Negros Oriental is experiencing enhanced southwest monsoon which brings light, moderate, and at times heavy rains that may persist until the weekend.
Sagarbarria said that it is imperative to implement a localized cancellation or suspension of work in government offices and in-person classes on all levels in both public and private schools as a precautionary measure to mitigate the potential risks associated with the inclement weather.
He left the decision to suspend work in the private sector to management.
As of 11 a.m. on Friday, moderate to heavy rains are being experienced in Mabinay, Manjuyod, Bais City, Bayawan City, Basay, Tanjay City, Pamplona, Santa Catalina, Amlan, Sibulan, San Jose, Dumaguete City, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Ayungon, Bindoy, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Tayasan, and Guihulngan City, which may persist within two to three hours and may affect nearby areas, based on the latest rainfall advisory of the LDRRMD in the province.
The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned were advised to monitor the weather and the next advisory.