BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Twenty-three local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental suspended classes in all levels yesterday morning after heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon “Karding” inundated parts of the province.
These were Hinoba-an, Ilog, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Binalbagan, E.B. Magalona, Cauayan, Murcia, Hinigaran, Isabela, Valladolid, Candoni, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, and Don Salvador Benedicto.
The cities of Sipalay, Kabankalan, Himamaylan, La Carlota, Bago, Talisay, Silay, and Victorias also suspended classes due inclement weather.
Bacolod City, on the other hand, did not suspend classes although Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez reminded residents to remain on alert.
In the town of Cauayan, Mayor John Rey Tabujara said they were forced to evacuate 15 families after the town’s river overflowed and flooded the national highway and rice fields on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 25.
The affected families returned home yesterday morning after floodwaters receded.
At the BREDCO port in Bacolod City, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ordered a halt in all sea trips bound for Manila and Batangas City shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Both Metro Manila and Batangas City were placed under storm signal as “Karding” traversed the central areas of Luzon on Sunday night.
The PCG also noted that there were no stranded passengers at the BREDCO port.
Ferry company 2GO Travel, meanwhile, cancelled a 3:30 a.m. Bacolod to Manila voyage yesterday due to typhoon.
Trips have since resumed at 8:00 a.m. yesterday after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration lifted the storm signal for both Metro Manila and Batangas City./PN
