BACOLOD City – Due to anticipated bad weather caused by Typhoon “Tisoy”, the local government unit of this city and Negros Occidental are now on a “red alert” status to monitor the effects of the typhoon.
“Red alert” is raised in anticipation of an imminent emergency situation and requires response agency staffing in the operations center and immediate inter-agency coordination.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who chairs the emergency meeting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), said Bacolod has been placed on red alert status to be prepared to protect lives and property.
“We are not in the eye of the storm but it doesn’t mean that we have to put our guards down. It’s better to be ready than be sorry,” he said.
Leonardia also ordered suspension of classes – private and public – from pre-school to senior high school for Dec. 3.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, meanwhile, has ordered chairpersons of city and municipal DRRMCs in the province to place their operations centers and responders on red alert status.
He advised cities and municipalities to heighten their preparedness as well as take appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flashfloods or landslides.
Lacson also directed the Provincial Health Office and all district hospitals to be placed on “code white” alert, which puts all hospital staff in readiness to respond to any emergency situation or health-related incidents.
Based on Severe Weather Bulletin No. 12 issued as of 5 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2 has been hoisted in the following areas in Negros Occidental:
* Talisay City
* Calatrava
* Silay City
* E.B. Magalona
* Victorias City
* Manapla
* Cadiz City*
* Sagay City
* Escalante City
* Toboso
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 covers the rest of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City. (With PNA/PN)
