Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer is the acting governor of Negros Occidental from August 29 to September 1.
In executive order no. 23-38, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson designated Ferrer as acting governor, as the former is slated to travel to Singapore from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
This will ensure continuous and effective delivery of basic and social services, Lacson said.
In Bacolod, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran is also presently the acting mayor of the city.
Meanwhile, Heavy rains induced by Typhoon Goring has flooded several towns and cities in Negros Occidental, affecting thousands of Negrenses, also leading to the suspension of work and classes in 19 local government units today.
Records of the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office indicated that a total of 8,045 families composed of 25,063 individuals were affected by the flooding.
Of the affected Negrenses, a total of 719 families, composed of 3,363 persons, are presently staying in various evacuation centers, while 955 families, or 3,803 individuals, are staying outside evacuation centers, PDRRMO report added.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed earlier that the municipalities of Pontevedra, Don Salvador Benedicto, San Enrique, Pulupandan, Valladolid and Murcia, and Bago City were affected by flooding that started Sunday night.
This also prompted acting Negros Occidental Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer to cancel work in provincial government offices, as the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office sent food packages to some affected LGUs.
However, personnel of the PDRRMO, hospitals, and all those involved in relief and rescue operations have been mandated to stay on duty.
In Bacolod City, heavy rains forced the evacuation of 1,739 families, composed of 6,048 individuals in 14 of its barangays. They are presently staying in some government schools for temporary shelter.
Flood waters in southern Bacolod went as high as 10 feet in Purok Kaisahan, Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City, while in other areas, it was about four feet.
The opening of public schools and work in government offices will be suspended on Aug. 29 in Bacolod City, La Carlota City, Bago City, Himamaylan City, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, La Castellana, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, Murcia and Moises Padilla, and Binalbagan, as announced by their respective local chief executives.
Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla, Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen de la Cruz, Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Peña, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante, also ordered the suspension of classes in their respective towns and cities for today.
Mayor dela Cruz reported two landslides and the collapse of retaining walls due to heavy rains in Don Salvador Benedicto town, while PDRRMO also reported a landslide in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City.
While no casualties were reported as last night, the PDRRMO reported seven houses destroyed, and eight others partially damaged.
In an executive order, acting Bacolod City Mayor El Cid Familiaran also encouraged employers of private businesses to suspend work, for their employees to attend to the needs of their families affected by the inclement weather.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that the affected barangays in Bacolod City are Sum-ag, Singcang Airport, Cabug, Handumanan, Felisa, Pahanocoy, Mansilingan, Punta Taytay – all in the southern section of the city, and Barangay 40 and Mandalagan in its north.
Admissions to the Bago City Hospital was also temporarily suspended due to flooding at its ground floor.
Diaz said the provincial government of Negros Occidental is readying food packs and hygiene kits for evacuees. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
