|
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Classes suspended in metro, Luzon provinces
MANILA -- Education officials suspended classes Wednesday in the elementary and high school levels in public and private schools after floodwaters affected various parts of Metro Manila.
But Education Undersecretary for Plans and Programs Vilma Labrador's 7 a.m. announcement came late since students were already in school at that time attending the first period of classes.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Heavy rains since Tuesday night swamped most areas in Metro Manila.
An advisory from Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye Wednesday night said Malacañang has also suspended classes at all levels in the metro and other Luzon provinces Thursday due to continued bad weather.
Labrador apologized Wednesday for her late advisory.
"The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pag-asa) reported that the rain would continue for the rest of the day," Labrador said.
Classes at the tertiary level were not suspended on Wednesday.
"It's the discretion of school authorities whether or not to suspend classes especially in school sites that are gravely affected by floodwaters," said Commission on Higher Education (Ched) chairman Carlito Puno.
Puno's announcement came at 7:40 a.m.
Under DepEd Order 28, Series of 2005, classes in the elementary and pre-school levels are automatically suspended when an area is declared under typhoon signal No. 1.
Also, classes are also suspended in all public and private high schools when typhoon signal No. 2 is raised.
"In the absence of typhoon signal warnings from Pag-asa, localized suspension of classes can be decided by local authorities, including DepEd regional director, division superintendent, principal or local government officials concerned," the order added.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, however, said parents have the ultimate responsibility of determining whether children should go to school.
To make floodwaters subside much faster, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed 400 flood control personnel to de-clog inlets and the drainage system in the metropolis.
MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO) Director Baltazar Melgar said round-the-clock cleaning of flood control facilities cause the immediate receding of the water and enabled light vehicles to still pass main roads.
Melgar appealed for patience and understanding in areas where creeks, rivers, and other waterways overflowed and flooded major thoroughfares and inner roads in the metropolis.
He traced the cause of the spillover to the presence of illegal squatters living in easements and nearby areas and the tons of garbage that have been dumped illegally on the waterways.
Some major roads in the metropolis were impassable on Wednesday as creeks overflowed due to the continuous heavy rains.
The Tonsoya-Letre area in Malabon City and the vicinity of Agora Market in Navotas were flooded and were only accessible to trucks and heavy vehicles.
In Sampaloc, Manila, many streets were flooded and impassable to light vehicles as early as 12:10 a.m. Wednesday. The affected areas in Sampaloc, Manila were Maceda Street, Espana, Blumentritt, Piy Margal, Laong Laan, Dapitan, Lacon Street and P. Florentino Street.
The northbound portion of the Edsa-Quezon Avenue MRT station, Araneta Avenue, Maria Clara Street and the southbound portion of the Katipunan flyover in Quezon City were also submerged in floodwaters.
Floodwaters also hit Sucat Road and Duty Free going to casino Filipino in Parañaque City as Villanueva Creek was overflowing with water and garbage. (AH/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (August 9, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Court drops 2 in lady lawyer's slay