‘Basyang’ displaces 5,339 families in Negros Island Region

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) reported 5,339 families, or 16,859 individuals, in 29 barangays affected by Tropical Depression Basyang as of Friday.

Of those, 892 families, or 1,684 individuals, were staying in 33 evacuation centers, while 1,995 families, or 6,792 individuals, were staying outside the centers.

The OCD-NIR also reported 886 families, or 2,803 individuals, were preemptively evacuated.

In Negros Occidental, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported 1,395 families, or 4,662 individuals, displaced in 46 barangays across 15 local government units.

In Negros Oriental, 556 families, or 1,260 individuals, were affected in Ayungon, Bacong, Bais City, Bindoy and Canlaon City.

Isabela recorded the highest number of evacuees at 353 families, or 1,070 individuals.

Other evacuees were from Calatrava, San Carlos City, Toboso, Escalante City, Cadiz City, E.B. Magalona, Bago City, La Carlota City, Hinigaran, La Castellana, Himamaylan City, Cauayan and Hinoba-an.

Muddy stream flow was reported in Ibid Creek in La Castellana on Friday afternoon, and authorities continue to monitor the situation.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a Kanlaon Volcano lahar advisory on Friday, warning that heavy to intense rains from the tropical depression could generate lahars, sediment-laden streamflows or muddy runoff, and related siltation in rivers and drainage areas around the volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2.

Phivolcs urged heightened vigilance and preparedness in areas identified as lahar and related hazard zones, noting that prolonged heavy to intense rainfall could generate life-threatening lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along major channels draining the southern, western and eastern slopes of Kanlaon.

The agency said post-eruption lahars may be triggered by intense rainfall eroding loose material from remnant pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits from the Oct. 24, 2025, explosive eruption, as well as loose ashfall from that eruption and recent ash emissions.

It added that non-eruption lahars may also occur if portions of the upper slopes recently exposed by landslides or weakened during the passage of Super Typhoon Tino in November become unstable and feed debris into rivers that have previously produced destructive downstream flows.

Phivolcs said communities in Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, may be affected by lahars and sediment-laden streamflows, as well as related flooding and siltation, along the following waterways: Ibid River, Cotcot River, Talaptapan River, Malaiba River, Panubigan Creek, Buhangin–Indurayan River, Najalin River, Inyawan River, Maragandang River or Panun-an Creek, Intiguiwan River, Camansi River, Maao River, Tokon-tokon River, Masulog River, Binalbagan River, Taco Creek and Linothangan River.

Residents in these areas, including communities farther downstream, were advised to be prepared in case evacuations become necessary and to avoid crossing affected streams, including those farther downslope of the volcano.

Phivolcs warned that Kanlaon lahars, which Super Typhoon Tino showed can carry large volumes of gravel and boulders, could threaten communities through impact force, inundation, burial and washout.

Meanwhile, the tropical depression brought heavy rainfall to Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, as well as Negros Oriental and Siquijor, which were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

These three provinces, including Bacolod, suspended work in government offices on Friday, except for personnel involved in disaster and emergency response.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city is closely monitoring the situation and has placed disaster response teams on heightened alert to ensure readiness for emergencies and possible evacuations.

He urged residents to take precautionary measures, avoid travel unless necessary, and follow official advisories and safety instructions.

Siquijor Gov. Jake Vincent Villa said the provincial disaster office is on full alert and continues to monitor conditions for possible emergencies and rescue operations.

The Coast Guard District Southern Visayas (CGDSV) also reported 692 passengers, drivers and helpers stranded in seaports across the region on Friday.

These include 502 in northern Negros Occidental, 15 in Negros Oriental and 175 in Siquijor.

Also stranded were 27 vessels, 293 rolling cargoes and 19 motorbancas.

The CGDSV said 15 vessels were taking shelter.

Coast Guard personnel also assisted in evacuation efforts for displaced families in various localities.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said it has placed its Disaster Response Task Units on alert as the tropical depression continues to affect the region.

The units are on standby and ready for immediate deployment should humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations be required.