BACOLOD City – Continuous rains brought by Tropical Storm “Opong,” internationally known as “Bualoi”, triggered flooding in several parts of Bacolod City on the morning of September 26, forcing the evacuation of at least 151 families or 493 individuals from five barangays.
The affected areas include Barangay Taculing; Barangay 10; Purok Katilingban, GK, and Tinagong Paraiso in Barangay Banago; Purok Hanapbuhay in Barangay Pahanocoy; and Barangay Cabug. Among the evacuees were three senior citizens and one person with disability, according to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
Evacuees were temporarily housed in several designated facilities: Barangay Taculing Community Center; Barangay 10 Hall; Domingo Lacson National High School in Barangay Banago; MG Medalla National High School in Barangay Pahanocoy; and the Barangay Health Center in Cabug. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard District Southern and Northern Negros, through its Disaster Response Group (DRG) Team 1, rescued six families or 20 individuals in Barangay Banago and transferred them to the Domingo Lacson Elementary School Evacuation Center for safety.
Edward Ramirez, Chief Operations Officer of the CDRRMO, said the evacuations were necessary after floodwaters rose to almost waist level. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assisted in rescue operations and provided food packs to stranded individuals at BREDCO Port after vessel trips were suspended.
On September 25, Mayor Greg Gasataya issued Executive Order (EO) No. 55, Series of 2025, suspending classes at all levels in public and private schools on September 26 due to heavy rainfall warnings from PAGASA. Private schools offering asynchronous or online classes may continue at their discretion.
Following this, EO No. 56 declared suspension of work in government offices, with essential services in health, preparedness, and emergency response remaining operational. Work suspension in private offices is left to the discretion of their management.
The PCG-Negros Occidental suspended all vessel trips from Bacolod City and northern Negros Occidental. Provincial Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also announced the suspension of work in provincial offices due to bad weather while urging residents to evacuate preemptively and follow local authorities’ instructions.
Other affected areas in the province include Talisay City, Bago City, and the towns of Hinigaran and Isabela, where some residents also experienced flooding. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assured affected families of assistance while rains persist.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are advised to remain alert and cooperate with local officials for their safety./PN
