Local government officials have suspended classes at all levels in most municipalities of Occidental Mindoro province on Friday, September 13, 2024, due to heavy rainfall.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) announced class suspensions for Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Mamburao, Santa Cruz, Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay, and Looc.

These areas, marked in red on the official suspension map, indicate cancellation of classes across all educational levels.

Sablayan and Lubang municipalities, shown in green, have not issued any announcements regarding class suspensions as of the latest update.

The PDRRMO Main Office and its sub-offices will remain open for 24 hours to assist residents.

Emergency hotlines have been provided for various services: PDRRMO Main Office: 09083554904, 09763130731; PDRRMO SaMariCa Sub Office: Ambulance: 09190920038, 09762154897; Sea ambulance: 09668028811, 09166768197; PDRRMO Sablayan Sub Office: 09763130829, 09678099694; and PDRRMO Lubang Sub Office: 09694561749, 09954958751

PDRRMO has urged residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions as heavy rain continues to affect Mindoro island.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Bebinca, currently located approximately 1,500 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon, has weakened but continues to pose significant threats to Philippine sea conditions, the state weather bureau PAGASA announced Friday.

In its Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 6 issued at 11:00 AM local time, PAGASA reported that Bebinca packs maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center, with gusts of up to 105 km/h. The tropical storm is moving north-northwestward at 20 km/h and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon or evening.

Bebinca is forecast to remain far from the Philippine landmass throughout its trajectory. However, it is expected to bring moderate to rough seas across multiple regions, including Palawan, Western Visayas, and Mindanao, with wave heights reaching up to 3.5 meters. Mariners of small seacraft are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions.

The storm is predicted to re-intensify into a severe tropical storm by Saturday and may even reach typhoon category over the East China Sea, according to PAGASA’s track and intensity outlook.

“The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices are advised to continue monitoring for updates related to this tropical cyclone,” the advisory stated.