‘Verbena’ triggers class suspensions, travel disruptions in W. Visayas

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Mariela Angella Oladive

Tropical Depression (TD) Verbena caused widespread disruptions across Western Visayas on Tuesday, Nov. 25, prompting class suspensions, sea travel shutdowns and flooding in several areas as the region was placed under the highest rainfall alert.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised a red rainfall warning over all Western Visayas provinces, signaling serious flooding and landslide threats.

The entire region was also placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, indicating strong winds and conditions that posed minimal to minor threats to life and property, including hazardous sea travel for small vessels.

In Iloilo City, 18 families — or 69 individuals — from Barangay Calubihan in Jaro were evacuated after floodwaters from Dungon Creek rose to 26 inches.

Flooding was also reported in multiple districts, including two barangays each in Arevalo and Jaro, four in the City Proper, five each in La Paz and Lapuz and seven each in Mandurriao and Molo.

The city remained under Blue Alert status as the Emergency Operations Center and barangay disaster councils continued close monitoring and coordination.

Sea travel across the region was significantly disrupted.

The Coast Guard District Western Visayas reported 914 stranded passengers along with nine vessels and 577 rolling cargoes across 185 affected ports.

The agency said 20 motorbancas and two vessels also took shelter to avoid rough sea conditions.

The Department of Education in Western Visayas said face-to-face classes were suspended in 2,580 public schools across 93 cities and municipalities, affecting at least 868,752 learners.

In a 2 p.m. summary report, the DepEd regional office said the number of suspended classes increased throughout the day as more localities issued cancellations due to flooding, unsafe travel and weather-related hazards.

Iloilo province recorded the most affected learners with 342,575 across 1,035 schools, followed by Capiz with 151,783 learners in 490 schools.

Antique reported 120,296 affected learners in 512 schools, while Aklan reported 90,157 learners in 265 schools.

In Guimaras, 40,420 learners in 116 schools were affected.

Among highly urbanized and component cities, Iloilo City recorded 73,413 learners in 66 schools, Roxas City reported 30,061 learners in 50 schools and Passi City listed 20,044 learners in 46 schools.

TD Verbena made its fifth and sixth landfalls on Nov. 25 in San Lorenzo, Guimaras at 7:40 a.m. and in Miagao, Iloilo at 8:50 a.m., before heading toward Cuyo Island in the afternoon.

These followed earlier landfalls in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur at 1:30 p.m. and Jagna, Bohol at 11:10 p.m. on Nov. 24, and in Talisay City, Cebu at 2:40 a.m. and Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental at 5:50 a.m. on Nov. 25.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it had prepositioned 59,062 family food packs in 51 strategic locations across the region and at its warehouse in Oton, Iloilo.

The agency also prepared 2,721 packs of ready-to-eat food at ports in Iloilo, Aklan and Antique; 15,882 non-food items; and a standby fund of PHP 2.79 million for immediate assistance.