DUMAGUETE: Classes have been suspended in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor as Tropical Storm Kristine brings heavy rains and strong winds, causing disruption and safety concerns.
According to Philippines News Agency, Governors Manuel Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental and Jake Vincent Villa of Siquijor issued executive orders late Tuesday evening to suspend classes at all levels in both public and private schools. The decision comes as the storm has led to massive flooding in northern and central Luzon.
The northern portion of Negros Oriental has been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, as reported by the state weather bureau. The Coast Guard in both provinces has advised suspending all fishing boat trips and other small crafts with a gross tonnage of 250 and below, due to the strong to gale-force winds affecting the seaboards of the Visayas region.
Furthermore, the weather bureau has stated that the sea conditions are rough to very rough, a situation echoed by the Coast Guard Stati
on-Negros Oriental in its advisory. The affected areas include Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Bohol, and Cebu.
In addition to the educational disruptions, unscheduled power interruptions have been reported in Negros Oriental. Michelle Visera, spokesperson for the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Negros, noted that several 69kV lines, including the Mabinay-Bayawan, Bindoy-San Carlos, and Amlan-Siaton, have tripped due to the strong winds. This has resulted in power interruptions across most of the province.
Visera assured that efforts are being made to re-energize the affected lines while ensuring the safety of NGCP workers. Some sub-stations, such as those in Tanjay and Bais, remain energized, mitigating the extent of the blackout in the province.