709 stranded as ‘Basyang’ disrupts sea travel in NIR

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A total of 709 passengers, drivers, and helpers were stranded in seaports across the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Thursday, Feb. 5, due to Tropical Storm Basyang.

The Coast Guard District Southern Visayas (CGDSV) reported 429 stranded individuals in northern Negros Occidental, 105 in Negros Oriental, and 175 in Siquijor.

Also stranded were 31 vessels, 237 rolling cargoes, and 19 motorbancas.

Of the stranded vessels, 19 were in Negros Occidental, six in Negros Oriental, and one in Siquijor. Eleven other vessels sought shelter at nearby ports.

The Coast Guard Sub-Station Bacolod (CGSS Bacolod) assisted stranded passengers at the port, facilitating the temporary shelter of 225 individuals at the Education and Training Center School (ETCS), with support from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

This response underscores the Coast Guard’s commitment to maritime safety, passenger welfare, and inter-agency coordination during emergencies.

Sea travel to and from northern Negros Occidental, including routes to Cebu, Iloilo, and Metro Manila, was temporarily suspended due to the storm.

The province was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

The CGDSV reminded coastal communities, fisherfolk, and the riding public not to venture out to sea while the storm affects the region.

Its Deployable Response Group (DRG) has been activated and placed on heightened alert, with response teams equipped and ready for immediate deployment.

The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has also placed all police units on heightened alert in preparation for Basyang’s impact.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said Search and Rescue (SAR) teams across the region have been activated, and personnel, mobility assets, and communication systems are being prepared in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Police units have been directed to coordinate closely with local government units (LGUs) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) to synchronize response actions.

These measures enable rapid deployment, intensified visibility patrols, and immediate resource mobilization in case of emergencies.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert, monitor official weather updates, and prepare for potential impacts of the storm.

Communities were advised to secure property, prepare emergency supplies, and follow instructions from local officials.

The public is also encouraged to avoid risk-prone areas and report any emergencies to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, 22 LGUs in Negros Occidental suspended classes on Feb. 5 and 6 ahead of the storm.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), class suspensions on Thursday included San Carlos City, Cadiz City, E.B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City, Bago City, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Himamaylan City, Isabela, Hinigaran, La Castellana, Cauayan, and Hinoba-an.

Only Thursday classes were suspended in Manapla and Binalbagan, while Friday suspensions were declared in Sipalay City, Toboso, and Moises Padilla.

The municipality of Calatrava extended its class suspension until Feb. 9, following severe flooding from a shear line on Jan. 31.

The provincial governments of Negros Oriental and Siquijor also suspended classes at all levels on Thursday.

Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, in an executive order issued on Wednesday, suspended classes in public and private schools on Feb. 5 and 6, citing PAGASA forecasts of Tropical Storm Basyang traversing northeastern Mindanao and Central and Western Visayas.

PAGASA’s 5 p.m. advisory on Wednesday warned of 50–100 millimeters of rainfall in Negros Oriental on Feb. 5, with possible flash floods in low-lying areas and landslides in upland zones, potentially worsening by Feb. 6.

Sagarbarria said the move aims to protect students, teachers, and school personnel from the storm’s impacts.

He also encouraged educational institutions to adopt alternative learning methods to ensure class continuity.

School officials were advised to exercise discretion in adjusting work arrangements for non-teaching staff, with flexibility to ensure safety.

Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa also suspended afternoon classes in all public and private schools across the province on Thursday.

Villa’s order cited PAGASA’s forecast of hazardous weather across much of the country.

The suspension also applies to teachers, faculty, and non-teaching staff. However, school officials may require personnel to report for work if necessary to complete critical duties.

Sagarbarria additionally suspended work in all government offices in Negros Oriental on Friday, except for essential personnel involved in disaster response and basic services.

Private businesses were strongly encouraged to suspend work on Friday as well, for the safety of employees and stakeholders.

In Bacolod City, classes in all levels were suspended on Thursday upon the recommendation of the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC), with concurrence from the Department of Education (DepEd).

The suspension followed the Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning issued by PAGASA for the city.

Mayor Alfredo “Greg” Gasataya encouraged schools to shift to modular distance learning or assign performance tasks and projects to ensure academic continuity.

The Bacolod Emergency Operations Center has been placed under Red Alert Status to ensure coordinated monitoring and rapid response among concerned agencies.