WITH the continuous downpour in Baguio City, Mayor Mauricio Domogan stresses guidelines for the suspension of classes and work.
Domogan said cancellation of classes depends on the signal raised by the weather bureau detailing signal number 1 - preschool and kindergarten classes are to be suspended, for signal number two - classes from pre-school to high school are suspended and for signal number three - all school levels, both public and private and all government offices will be suspended.
DepEd Order No 43 s. 2012 contains the Guidelines on the Implementation of Executive Order No. 66. This covers the safety measures to be followed by schools during weather related calamities. This directs all public and private school officials to observe the weather bulletins of the Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and communicate with the local government unit (LGU) and the different Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils during calamities.
The DepEd Order also states in cases where there is no typhoon signal and there is heavy rain, the Local Government Unit in coordination with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management may now order the suspension of classes.
The mayor also stressed discretion of the parents if they will let their children attend school when it’s raining.
“The City Government Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has done their best to prepare for any calamity. But we cannot really estimate kung ano ang calamity ang darating so sabayan natin ng dasal at cooperation,” Domogan said.
The mayor also urged citizens to inspect mountains above them because of the possibility of a landslide during weather disturbances. He also said that he is eyeing to put canals for communities who live in mountainous areas to prevent landslides.
Ivy Carasi, Office of Civil Defense information officer, said the Cordillera Region Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has raise the weather alert status to “Blue.”
Blue alert mandates the partial activation of the emergency centers meaning there is intensified coordination, monitoring and preparedness measures between the OCD and the Local DRRM Councils. The OCD is sending out situational reports to the National DRRMC, according to Carasi.
“Ang Baguio-Benguet, maulan pero usually afternoon. Pero it’s not because of the bagyo, it’s because of the secondary hazard na dala ng bagyo which is ini-enhance niya ng hanging Habagat,” Carasi clarified.
On Thursday, Domogan suspended classes from pre - school to high school. (Emma Guillermo/MMSU intern)