TWO municipalities in the Davao Region have suspended work and classes after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a rainfall advisory.
Mayor Jason John A. Joyce of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental ordered the suspension of all levels of classes in public and private schools through a memorandum issued on March 31, 2025.
“Members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) are hereby directed to conduct necessary response activities if there are reported damages brought by the continuous rains,” Joyce stated in his memorandum.
The decision came after Pagasa issued Rainfall Advisory No. 1, warning that moderate to occasionally heavy rains due to the Easterlies would affect Jose Abad Santos.
Magsaysay, Davao del Sur Mayor Roniel L. Sarande also suspended work and classes through Memorandum Order No. 19, citing the current weather conditions as a safety concern.
“After careful consideration of the safety and well-being of everyone, classes and work in all levels both in public and private schools are suspended,” he said.
The memorandum states that face-to-face classes will shift to blended learning until further notice.
Meanwhile, in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that a bridge in Sitio Catigbao, Barangay Talaguton was washed away by floods early Monday morning. The road leading to the bridge is currently impassable, and motorists are advised to use alternative routes.
By 1:40 p.m., Pagasa released Rainfall Advisory No. 4, warning of light to moderate rains in several areas, including: Davao City; Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Panabo City, Municipality of Carmen, and Tagum City in Davao del Norte; Municipality of San Isidro, Mati City, Municipality of Governor Generoso, Municipality of Banaybanay, Municipality of Lupon, Municipality of Manay, and Municipality of Tarragon in Davao Oriental; and Municipality of Pantukan, Municipality of Mawab, Municipality of Nabunturan, Municipality of Maragusan, and Municipality of New Bataan in Davao de Oro.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Davao urged the public and local disaster risk reduction offices to closely monitor the weather and wait for further updates. RGP