BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has ordered the suspension of classes from pre-school to senior high school for two days due to Tropical Depression Kristine.
His Executive Order (EO) No. 058 issued yesterday, October 21, covers both public and private schools in the city.
The suspension took effect immediately and will last until today, October 22, in response to the potential threat posed by the tropical depression, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Mayor Benitez emphasized that protecting the lives and property of Bacolod’s residents is a priority.
He cited Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which grants local government units the authority to ensure public safety and promote the general welfare.
Additionally, the mayor referenced Executive Order No. 66, signed by the Office of the President in 2012, which delegates the authority to local executives to cancel or suspend classes during typhoons and other calamities.
The Department of Education also reinforced this in its guidelines (DepEd Order No. 037, series of 2022) regarding the suspension of classes during natural disasters and power interruptions.
Tropical Depression Kristine, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (PAGASA), is expected to bring hazardous conditions, especially in coastal and upland areas./PN
