Classes suspended in 18 Negros Occidental cities, towns

BACOLOD CITY – Classes in this city and 17 other areas in Negros Occidental were suspended on Wednesday due to heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Falcon.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has placed the whole province of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, under the yellow warning level.

Under the heavy rainfall warning system, a yellow rainfall advisory is raised when the expected rainfall amount is between 7.5 mm and 15 mm within one hour and likely to continue.

Classes are suspended in the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Sagay, San Carlos,  Sipalay  and the municipalities of Talisay, Binalbagan, Hinoba-an,  Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan and Valladolid today, said Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Caelian also said four fishermen were rescued when their boat capsized off Sipalay City.

Rescued were Isagani Moises, 40; Alan Aranez, 49; Romel Tablatin, 38 and Arnold Aranez, 52.

“Falcon” spared Negros Island from a direct hit, Caelian said.

The state weather bureau on Tuesday night said “Falcon” had maintained its strength and continued to move closer to Northern Luzon.

“Falcon” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday morning. /gsg