Crising floods displace hundreds, suspend classes in Negros Island

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By Glazyl M. Jopson and Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — More than 800 individuals were displaced, and classes were suspended across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental due to flooding and heavy rains triggered by Tropical Depression Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that most evacuees were from Isabela, with 429 individuals or 132 families from Barangays 1, 5, 8, Maytubig, Rumirang and Tinongan.

Other affected areas include Hinoba-an, with 181 people or 56 families from Barangays Pook, Asia, Culipapa and Bulwagan; Cauayan, with 110 individuals or 36 families in Barangay Caliling; and Moises Padilla, with 124 people or 30 families.

One barangay in Binalbagan was also affected.

PDRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña said flooding was reported in at least seven localities in southern Negros — Hinoba-an, Cauayan, Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Ilog and Moises Padilla — with water reaching knee-to-waist high in some areas.

A total of 738 evacuees are housed in evacuation centers, while others took shelter with relatives.

In Moises Padilla, at least 27 families from Hacienda Soledad and Hacienda Sto. Domingo in Barangay Crossing Magallon were evacuated after the Binalbagan River overflowed.

Authorities said the water level at the river reached Level 3.

In Sipalay City, continuous rains triggered landslides in Barangays Nabulao, Cayhagan and Maricalum, blocking access roads, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Joenilo Bogtae.

Clearing operations are underway, and evacuation centers have been prepared by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the CDRRMC and barangay officials.

The Sipalay River reached the orange warning level, signaling a potential overflow.

Barangays at risk of flooding include Gil Montilla, Cabadiangan and Mambaroto.

In La Castellana, fallen trees blocked the highway in Barangay Cabagna-an.

Roads in Isabela were also impassable due to flooding, prompting Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo to inspect river conditions personally.

Ploteña said landslides and flooding also rendered some rivers and roads in Ilog, La Castellana, Hinigaran and Sipalay impassable.

A blackout affected 16 villages in Sipalay City late Wednesday; power in Barangay San Jose remained out as of 11 a.m. Thursday.

Local government units in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, including Bacolod City, suspended in-person classes at all levels on July 17 in both public and private schools.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he has left the decision on class suspension to the mayors, saying, “They know best.”

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez issued an executive order suspending classes following PAGASA’s heavy rainfall advisory.

Private schools with asynchronous or online classes were allowed to proceed at the discretion of their administrators.

Benitez convened the City Development Council on Wednesday to intensify flood control and emergency response measures following recent flash floods.

Discussions included the implementation of the 911 Emergency System, desilting and clearing of clogged outfalls, and fast-tracking of plans by the City Engineer’s Office, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the City DRRMO.

“Preparedness may cause a momentary pause in our routine, but it can save lives when it matters most,” Benitez said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and be ready for preemptive evacuation if necessary.

Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria also issued an executive order suspending in-person classes across the province due to heavy rains caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon.

He emphasized the need to protect students, teachers and school personnel from weather-related hazards, citing PAGASA forecasts that the rains could persist until the weekend.

“It is imperative to implement localized suspension of in-person classes as a precautionary measure,” Sagarbarria said in the order.

The order also urged LGUs to ensure health and safety and maintain comfort and convenience for residents.

The Provincial Health Office in Negros Occidental placed all health facilities on “code white” alert.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the alert ensures medical personnel and services are ready for emergencies.

Health centers, in coordination with the Department of Health, are distributing doxycycline to protect residents from leptospirosis in flood-affected areas.

“When there is flooding, leptospirosis is usually our main concern,” Pinongan said.

Classes were suspended in the cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay, Victorias, La Carlota, Bago, Kabankalan, Himamaylan and Sipalay, as well as in the towns of Binalbagan, Isabela, La Castellana, Hinigaran, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Calatrava, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, Valladolid, Ilog and San Enrique.