TROPICAL depression Samuel, which is expected to make landfall in Cebu at dawn on Wednesday, Nov. 21, continues to disrupt classes in public elementary and high schools throughout the province.
Gov. Hilario Davide III made the announcement in a public advisory.
However, the governor said the suspension of classes in private schools would still depend on the discretion of their respective administrations.
Classes in public elementary and high schools in Cebu City are also suspended, according to Nagiel Bañacia, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head.
He said they recommended the suspension of classes to Mayor Tomas Osmeña because the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office didn’t want to inconvenience students and their parents.
He said the storm is expected to bring torrential rains, which might endanger students, especially those living in mountain barangays.
Canceled flights
In a related development, 13 flights were canceled as Samuel made its way to Cebu, said the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp.
Affected were three Cebu Pacific flights to Siargao, Calbayog and Surigao, one Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight to Camiguin, two PAL flights to Siargao, one Cebu Pacific flight from Siargao, one Cebu Pacific flight from Calbayog, two Cebu Pacific flights from Surigao, one PAL flight from Camiguin and two PAL flights from Siargao.
As of Tuesday night, Nov. 20, boat trips were also canceled, according to LtJG Mike Encina of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Central Visayas.
Encina said they will only allow vessels to sail once the weather bureau Pagasa lifts the tropical cyclone warning signal.
A total of 1,579 passengers were stranded in Cebu and Bohol, as of Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 20.
Encina said 74 vessels, 128 rolling cargoes and 11 motorized bancas in Cebu and Bohol were not allowed to sail, while 46 vessels and 28 motorized bancas sought shelter in safer ports. (EOB with JVK, PAC of SuperBalita Cebu)