RED ALERT: Tino prompts class, work suspensions in Iloilo City, NegOcc

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan, Dolly Yasa, and Glazyl M. Jopson

Local government units across Western Visayas, including Iloilo City and several towns and cities in Negros Occidental, suspended classes and government work from Nov. 3 to 4, 2025, as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (international name Kalmaegi) threatened to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding across the region.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu suspended all face-to-face classes in both public and private schools on Monday, Nov. 3, as part of precautionary measures to protect learners, teachers, and personnel.

The suspension follows the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in parts of Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao, with storm-force winds forecast to reach up to 240 kilometers from the storm’s center.

As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) located Tino’s center 805 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 115 kilometers per hour.

The storm is moving westward at 30 kilometers per hour and is forecast to make landfall over Eastern Samar or Dinagat Islands late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

PAGASA warned that Tino could rapidly intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours and possibly reach super typhoon category, bringing widespread rainfall, storm surges, and rough seas across the Visayas.

Storm surges several meters high are expected along the coastal areas of Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, and nearby provinces within 48 hours.

Sea travel is considered risky, with very rough to high seas expected over the eastern seaboards of Samar, Leyte, and Dinagat Islands, with waves potentially reaching up to seven meters.

The city government of Iloilo advised residents in coastal and low-lying areas to coordinate with barangay officials and prepare for possible preemptive evacuations.

Authorities also urged the public to stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and monitor official weather updates and advisories from PAGASA and disaster response offices.

In Bacolod City, Mayor Greg Gasataya suspended all face-to-face classes in public and private schools from Nov. 3 to 4, in line with Executive Order No. 66, Series of 2025, based on the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

Gasataya encouraged schools to shift to modular distance learning and performance tasks to ensure continuity of education.

In Moises Padilla, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo issued MDRRMC Advisory No. 02, suspending all face-to-face classes and school activities on Nov. 3 and 4 as a proactive measure to ensure zero casualty.

La Castellana Mayor Añejo G. Nicor also suspended classes in all levels in both public and private schools upon the town MDRRMC’s recommendation.

Talisay City Mayor Atty. Rowena Lopez Lizares ordered the suspension of classes in all levels for Nov. 3 to 4, citing the potential threat of flooding in low-lying areas.

In Isabela, Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo suspended classes in all levels and government work beginning Nov. 3 until further notice, with only essential offices remaining operational.

Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva suspended both classes and work in government offices from Nov. 3 to 4 and placed the city’s disaster response team on high alert.

In E.B. Magalona, Mayor Matt Malacon suspended all levels of classes on Nov. 3 and 4 and government work on Nov. 4 following coordination with barangay captains and concerned agencies.

Other affected LGUs that suspended either classes, government work, or both include Cadiz City, Toboso, Calatrava, Binalbagan, Don Salvador Benedicto, Manapla, and Bago City.

In Calatrava, Mayor Marilyn Era extended the class suspension from Nov. 4 to 6 as part of disaster mitigation.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Occidental declared Red Alert Status as of Nov. 1 in preparation for the storm’s possible impact.

PDRRMC Chair and Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson directed all local DRRMOs to activate their respective response clusters and submit preparedness and response measures.

In a memorandum dated Nov. 1, Lacson ordered preemptive evacuations where necessary and mandated local DRRM councils to submit situation reports promptly.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas on Sunday warned residents to avoid non-essential travel and outdoor activities as Tropical Storm Tino continues to move closer to the region.

In an advisory, the council said “road conditions, sea travel, and flights may be severely disrupted” as the storm brings strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible landslides to affected areas.

“Dangerous winds, flooding, and landslides are expected in affected areas,” the RDRRMC said, urging residents to stay indoors and remain alert for updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and their respective local government units.

“Your cooperation is essential in ensuring public safety. Please prioritize your well-being and that of your family. Let us all remain vigilant and prepared,” it added.