‘Enteng’ forces suspension of classes, work, sea trips in NegOcc

At least 12 local government units in Negros Occidental, including this highly urbanized city, canceled classes due to expected heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Enteng on Monday. The Philippine Coast Guard suspended trips of Manila-bound vessels from the Bredco port here due to the tropical storm warning signal in its destination. Classes at all levels in Murcia just east of Bacolod were canceled 'due to inclement weather conditions,' Mayor Victor Gerardo Rojas said in an executive order released before Monday noon. In Bacolod, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran announced in separate posts past midnight the suspension of classes from elementary to high school. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office here has been placed on blue alert and has activated its emergency operations center and disaster online reporting and monitoring system. Other LGUs that canceled classes include the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, and San Carlos; also the municipalities of Don Salvador Benedicto, E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Isabela, and Hinoba-an. 'I urge all residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, to take every necessary precaution. Please stay safe and look out for one another during this time,' San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo said in a statement. Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also ordered the suspension of work in all provincial government offices starting noon due to inclement weather. 'However, those who are assigned to vital and essential services such as security and emergency personnel shall continue to be on duty as scheduled,' Lacson said in a memorandum issued through Acting Provincial Administrator Alberto Nellas Jr. As of 11 a.m., the Philippine Coast Guard continued to suspend trips of vessels bound for Manila. Commander Jansen Benjamin, chief of Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental, said 2GO Travel's M/V Masigla, with 389 passengers, remained docked at the Bredco port since Monday morning. A side from the passengers, five rolling cargoes, 145 containers, and four motorcycles were also stranded here as of 8 a.m. Source: Philippines News Agency