7 Negros Occidental mayors suspend classes

BACOLOD CITY – Mayors of two cities and five towns in Negros Occidental have suspended classes on Monday in anticipation of heavy rain and possible flooding.

Negros Occidental Schools Division Superintendent Portia Mallorca said classes in various levels were suspended in the cities of Bago and Talisay as well as in the towns of Pontevedra, EB Magalona, Salvador Benedicto, Murcia and Valladolid.

While tropical depression “Josie” was about to exit the Philippine area of responsibility, another low pressure area (LPA) was spotted about 1,580 km east of Southern Luzon. The weather bureau expects the LPA to develop into a tropical depression, which would be named “Karding”.

Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo said a man identified as JR Estillo was reported missing Sunday afternoon after strong current spawned by heavy rain swept him away while he was fishing near the Dahug overflow.

Rescue efforts could not be immediately undertaken because of the danger posed to rescuers, Yulo said.

The mayor said 79 families in Bago’s Barangay Lagasan were forced to seek shelter in relatives’ homes after the creek near their houses overflowed.

He said he suspended classes on Monday because floods put children at risk.

Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen dela Cruz said that while there were no reports of flooding and landslides in his town, heavy rain might endanger students walking through slippery trails and crossing creeks to get to school. /cbb