Negros Occidental orders evacuations as Typhoon Verbena nears

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson has ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in high-risk areas as Typhoon Verbena approaches the province, with heavy rains and strong winds expected to affect Western Visayas in the coming days.

Executive Order 25-24, issued Nov. 24, directs all cities and municipalities to evacuate families in flood-, landslide- and storm surge–prone zones identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

The directive follows a recommendation from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), which cited Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projections showing the typhoon’s potential impact.

“This is a precautionary step to protect lives and minimize the risks posed by the approaching storm,” Lacson said, urging local governments to activate disaster protocols immediately.

Under the order, local government units (LGUs) must enforce voluntary or forced evacuations with the support of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines and barangay officials.

Those refusing to leave high-risk areas despite imminent danger may be subjected to forced evacuation.

Evacuation centers must be structurally safe and stocked with essential supplies—including food, water, medicines, power and sanitation facilities—in accordance with national camp management standards from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health and Department of Education.

The Provincial Information Office and local public information officers have been tasked with continuous public advisories on evacuation orders and safety protocols.

Executive Order 25-24 takes effect immediately and will remain in force until lifted upon PDRRMC recommendation.

PDRRMC chair Irene Bel Ploten̈a said the council completed its pre-disaster risk assessment earlier this week and is finalizing coordination with LGUs.

Key assets such as search and rescue teams, food packs and engineering equipment have been prepositioned across the province.

“We are preparing everything necessary. Our teams and supplies are on standby,” Ploten̈a said.

She said local DRR officers are monitoring conditions and will recommend evacuations based on the severity of local risks, particularly in MGB-designated flood-prone zones.

Lessons from previous disasters and the broad reach of the incoming typhoon have shaped the province’s proactive preparedness strategy.

LGUs have been instructed to review contingency plans, clear waterways and coordinate closely with barangay officials.

Communities are encouraged to identify evacuation sites in advance.

As of Nov. 24, Negros Occidental is under a Yellow rainfall warning, with PAGASA expecting an escalation to Orange by early Tuesday.

Forecast models show Typhoon Verbena may pass near the province around 5 a.m., following a track from Cebu toward northern Negros Occidental.

Ploten̈a cautioned that the storm’s path could shift due to surrounding high-pressure systems.

PAGASA’s Tropical Cyclone Bulletin 3 and Weather Advisory 18, both issued at 11 a.m. Monday, warn that Typhoon Verbena combined with the shear line may bring heavy to intense rainfall across Central Philippines, including Negros Island.

This weather pattern could trigger hazardous volcanic sediment flows—or lahars—on the slopes of Kanlaon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2.

The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has issued advisories urging increased vigilance in communities near the volcano.

Prolonged rainfall may cause life-threatening lahars and sediment-laden floods along major channels draining the southern, western and eastern slopes of Kanlaon, including areas affected by post-eruption flows from the Oct. 24, 2025, eruption and recent ashfall events.

Communities at heightened risk include Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

PHIVOLCS warns these areas may experience significant siltation, streamflow blockages and downstream flooding from debris-laden waters.

Typhoon Verbena is maintaining its strength as it moves westward across the Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA.

With disaster preparation efforts intensifying across Negros Occidental, authorities are urging public cooperation to ensure community safety as the typhoon continues on its projected path.