Barangay Villamonte is one of flood-prone areas in Bacolod City.

A number of houses is situated near a waterway. Once the river overflows, the water inundates houses.

Based on their experience with perennial flooding, residents and barangay officials have started preparing for the possible effects of Tropical Storm Basyang days ahead of an expected onslaught. 

"Sa likod namin kasi ang ilog. Ang nangyari, parang bumaba (ang lebel) at lumiit ang daluyan ng tubig sa ilog,” Jun Gallo, a resident, said. 

Villamonte Barangay Chairman Rommel Flores said that his barangay is identified as one of flood-prone areas in the city.

"We (are) already identified (na) flood-prone area ang Barangay Villamonte. Second, my skeletal force tayo. We already directed ang ating sasakyan, full tank na siya,” Flores said.

A few residents of Barangay 10 will join the response teams of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bacolod City in monitoring flood-prone areas.

“Mayroon kami diyan. Naglilibot kami. Pinapaalam namin sa kanila kung time na mag-evacuate,” said Barangay 10 Chairman Melvin Bravo.

The City Engineer’s Office has installed a device for water level monitoring.

“Magdadagdag kami sa mga color coded sa mga creeks or rivers sa tabi ng structures. Parang warning signal siya if ang level ng tubig (is) critical,” said Engr. Ruben Gallos, head of the Bacolod City Engineer’s Office.

Bacolod City and the Province of Negros Occidental are among areas in the Visayas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1.

Voyages of sea vessels have been suspended.

At least 100 passengers got stranded at Bredco Port.

Grace Katinger is among passengers stranded at Bredco Port. Her family is supposed to travel to Iloilo.  

“Wala kaming option, parang nag-blank ngayon ang mind ko kasi we spend so much for the hotel. Booking for the car,” Katinger said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Richelito Arbis, deputy commander of Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental, said they issued a travel advisory on the cancellation.  

"Nag-issue tayo ng travel advisory na cancel na lahat. May mga rolling cargos rin na stranded,” Arbis said.

Face-to-face classes in Bacolod City and 17 other LGUs in Negros Occidental have also been suspended.