BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City government extended assistance to 67 individuals who were stranded at the BREDCO Port terminal and to displaced residents from three barangays due to Tropical Depression (TD) “Wilma.”
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, was under Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 from December 5 to 6, with the typhoon weakening on December 7.
During the signal warning, face-to-face classes at all levels, both public and private, were suspended, and the Philippine Coast Guard halted all sea travel.
The City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reported that of the 67 individuals temporarily sheltered in five evacuation centers, 43 were stranded passengers housed at the Education and Training Center School (ETCS) III.
Evacuees from barangays Alijis, 14, and Vista Alegre were accommodated as follows: eight individuals from Alijis stayed at the Barangay Hall (6) and Emilia J. Garcia Elementary School (2); six from Barangay 14 were housed at ETCS III; and ten from Barangay Vista Alegre stayed at the Regional Evacuation Center.
Many evacuees opted for preemptive evacuation due to the presence of children, elderly family members, and residents with health conditions.
The move followed the city’s experience during Typhoon “Verbena” on November 25, when heavy rains affected 31 barangays, displacing 2,543 families (around 8,375 individuals) and leaving 23 families homeless.
In response to TD “Wilma,” the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) remained on alert and promptly transported evacuees to designated centers, concerned about possible flooding, damaged roofs, and fallen debris.
Mayor Greg Gasataya led the city’s 24/7 monitoring efforts and commended frontline workers for their swift coordination. “In times of calamities, we stand together. Our team acted quickly to make sure no one was left unattended, especially the most vulnerable,” he said.
Stranded passengers and evacuees were provided with hot meals, drinking water, hygiene kits, and sleeping materials as part of immediate relief operations. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assisted families by assessing their needs and preparing further support for recovery, while medical teams monitored the health of children and elderly evacuees.
The city government assured residents that continuous monitoring and emergency response measures remain in place as TD “Wilma’s” effects persist./PN
