By Nanette Guadalquiver – PNA News
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental has been placed on a red alert status in preparation for the possible onslaught of Tropical Depression Samuel.
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 was still hoisted in northern Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique, all in Western Visayas.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its latest bulletin, said “Samuel” has accelerated and has made landfall over Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo at 9 a.m.
Acting Governor Eugenio Lacson issued a memorandum to all local disaster risk and reduction management councils and operation centers on Tuesday, placing the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Operations Center on red alert.
This was based on the pre-disaster risk assessment and emergency response and preparedness meeting conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk and Management Council, which aimed to maximize coordination, monitoring and response.
During red alert, concerned offices and personnel are directed to report to their headquarters 24/7.
All district hospitals were also advised to be on “code blue” alert, which means 50 percent of all personnel shall report for duty to render medical and other services.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, “Samuel” has been projected to make landfall in San Carlos City on Wednesday afternoon and will then traverse to Bago City or La Carlota City. It will go out from San Enrique then proceed to the area of Antique.
Lacson reiterated the call of Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who is on official travel to Taiwan, for Negrenses to continue praying that the typhoon will bring only minimal damage to the province.
He also reminded Negrenses to be cautious as he assured the local government units that the provincial government is prepared to assist them, if needed.
On Wednesday, classes in all levels in Bacolod City were suspended by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, citing Presidential Executive Order No. 66, and after consultation with the Office of the Civil Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Department of Education.
