Negros braces for Typhoon Tino; red alert raised

By Glazyl M. Jopson and Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — At least 172 travelers were stranded and hundreds of emergency responders mobilized across Negros Island as Typhoon Tino prompted a regionwide red alert on Nov. 4.

The Coast Guard District Southern Visayas (CGDSV) reported that as of 4 p.m. on Nov. 4, 172 passengers were stranded in various ports across the Negros Island Region (NIR) due to the suspension of sea travel.

Among those stranded were 12 roll-on roll-off (RoRo) passengers in San Carlos City, 31 in Escalante City, and 63 at Bredco Port in Bacolod, covering northern Negros Occidental.

A total of 38 vessels and 60 motorized boats were forced to take shelter, while 138 rolling cargoes and nine vessels were also stranded.

The Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental issued an advisory suspending all trips from Bacolod and northern Negros Occidental bound for northern Cebu, northern and central Iloilo, and Metro Manila.

Sea travel in Negros Oriental and Siquijor was also suspended, and island-hopping activities were halted to prevent any untoward incidents.

Coastal communities and fisherfolk were advised to refrain from venturing out to sea due to possible gale-force winds and storm surges.

Dr. Laarni Pornan, head of Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), confirmed that the city was under Signal No. 2 and monitoring stranded residents at Bredco Port for assistance.

Those from outside Bacolod are being referred to the provincial government, while individuals from Negros Oriental are advised to remain in place.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) was placed on full disaster response mode, preparing all units for search and rescue operations and humanitarian deployment.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, directed police units in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod to shift from Undas security to disaster readiness following the “5Ps” principle—Predict, Plan, Prepare, Perform, and Post-Action Review.

“From Undas security to disaster response—our transition must be immediate and efficient,” Ibay said, emphasizing that preparedness saves lives.

He ordered all units to activate their Disaster Incident Management Task Groups (DIMTGs) and coordinate with national agencies and local disaster councils.

More than 200 police personnel were deployed by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), while 66 personnel from Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) were assigned for rescue and evacuation operations.

Police were tasked to conduct preemptive evacuations, set up command posts, secure evacuation centers, patrol vacant areas, and prepare search and rescue equipment including rubber boats, ropes, radios, first-aid kits, and high-energy food supplies.

During and after the typhoon, all units will coordinate with local authorities for rescue, relief, clearing, and traffic operations, with adjacent offices on standby to support heavily affected areas.

“Our role does not end with law enforcement,” Ibay said. “We are protectors of life, and that duty becomes even more critical during disasters.”

CGDSV also placed all 436 personnel on red alert, including 169 in Negros Occidental, 167 in Negros Oriental, 58 in Siquijor, and 42 from the headquarters.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Negros Island was likewise placed on full alert.

In Bacolod, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez suspended work and classes in anticipation of the typhoon’s landfall on Nov. 4, while activating the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council–Emergency Operations Center (BCDRRMC-EOC).

“We have coordinated with the Department of Education for the use of schools as evacuation centers,” the mayor said, adding that food packs were prepared and barangay DRRMCs activated.

All city government offices were closed except for essential and emergency services, while 14 generator sets were placed on standby and additional ones inventoried from barangays.

Private businesses were encouraged to suspend work, and the mayor assured residents that Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) is on standby for power restoration.

“We ask for prayers that our city and province will be spared,” Benitez said.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson placed the province under red alert, suspending work in all provincial government offices on Nov. 4 except those involved in emergency response.

“To all my fellow Negrenses, the priority of the provincial government is your safety and well-being,” Lacson said.

“Coordinate with your barangays and stay informed through official channels,” he added.

Talisay City Mayor Rowena “Weng” Lizares ordered forced evacuations in coastal areas starting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, citing PAGASA’s Storm Surge Warning No. 4 predicting waves of 1 to 2 meters.

Designated evacuation sites included Talisay Elementary School, Efigenio Enrica Lizares Memorial School, Talisay South Elementary School, and Rafael B. Lacson Memorial High School.

Lizares said the city government has implemented full precautionary and emergency protocols and urged cooperation from residents.

In Cadiz City, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. issued Executive Order No. SGE-034-2025 suspending classes at all levels and work in government offices on Nov. 4.

“This measure is implemented to prioritize the safety and protection of all Cadiznons,” Escalante said, citing risks of flooding, heavy rain, and strong winds.

Eight barangays in Bacolod were identified as flood-prone and marked for preemptive evacuation: Banago GK, Mandalagan Carvic, Barangays 1 to 3, Pahanocoy, Singcang-Airport, and Sum-ag.

All disaster response clusters under the city’s Emergency Operations Center have been activated.

Negros Power also placed its operations on red alert, activating its full contingency plan and deploying personnel and equipment to ensure service continuity.

A total of 36 Response Teams, nine Quick Response Teams, 14 Line Teams, eight Support Crews, 12 Line Inspectors, and six Metering Inspectors were deployed with motorcycles, four-wheel vehicles, and bucket trucks.

Mobile warehouses and sleeping quarters were readied, while customer hotlines were placed on 24/7 operations.

“Our crews are fully mobilized and all systems are in place,” said Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, chief operating officer of Negros Power.

“We are committed to ensuring safety, quick response, and reliable restoration for our consumers during Typhoon Tino,” he added.

Governor Lacson concluded, “Let us continue to pray for everyone’s safety. Stay calm, alert, and cooperative as we face this weather disturbance together.”