Classes remain suspended in some Central Luzon areas

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Classes in some schools in Central Luzon on Thursday, July 19, remain suspended as several areas in the region are still flooded due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm "Inday."

Tarlac Governor Susan Yap declared the suspension of classes in pre-elementary to senior high school levels for both public and private schools in the province.

However, other local government units in Tarlac, particularly Paniqui, Bamban, and Camiling suspended classes in all levels, both in public and private schools.

Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija where some villages are still under floodwater have also declared suspension of classes.

In Pampanga, classes in all levels in both public and private schools in the towns of San Simon, Masantol, Guagua, Apalit, Sta. Rita, and Sasmuan were suspended.

Local officials in 18 villages in Macabebe town also declared suspension of classes in all levels for public schools.

Classes in all levels for both public and private schools were also suspended in three coastal villages of Lubao, namely, Bancal Pugad, Bancal Sinubli, and Lambiki.

Pre-elementary to senior high school levels in both public and private schools were suspended in Porac town.

Two schools, namely, Don Honorio Technological State University and Don Bosco Academy, in Bacolor town declared suspension of classes.

In Bulacan, classes in all levels for both public and private are still suspended in the towns of Bocaue, Marilao, Calumpit, and Obando.

Classes in pre-elementary to senior high school levels in both public and private schools were also suspended in Malolos City, while 14 schools declared the suspension of classes in Meycauayan City.

In Zambales, classes in all levels for both public and private schools in the towns of Sta. Cruz and Candelaria were suspended.

Pre-school to elementary levels in public and private schools, on the other hand, were suspended in Masinloc town.

In Bataan, the local government unit of Hermosa declared the suspension of classes in all levels for both public and private schools, as well as work in municipal offices, except those involved in disaster risk reduction and management.

Pre-elementary to senior high school levels were also suspended in Dinalupihan town.

In Nueva Ecija, classes in all levels for both public and private schools were suspended in the towns of Talugtug, Carranglan, San Leonardo, and Cuyapo.

Pre-elementary to senior high school levels in both public and private schools were suspended in San Jose City, and in the towns of Nampicuan, San Antonio, and Guimba.

Based on the report of the Office of Civil Defense-Central Luzon, 78 villages in the region were still flooded as of 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 18.

In Bataan, 37 barangays in the towns of Abucay, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Mariveles, Morong, Pilar and Balanga City were flooded.

In Pampanga, 28 villages in the towns of Macabebe, Lubao, Sasmuan, and Apalit are still submerged in floodwaters.

In Bulacan, 13 barangays in Meycauayan City and the towns of Marilao and Obando were affected.

As a result, 13,385 families or 54,221 individuals were affected in the region. Of this figure, 442 families or 1,807 individuals were brought to various evacuation centers.

Based on the rainfall information issued by the state weather bureau as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday, July 19, light to moderate rains are affecting two provinces in the region, namely, Zambales and Bataan. The rain may persist within two hours while light to moderate rains are expected over Bulacan and Tarlac within the next two hours. (PNA)