Classes in private, public schools in WV suspended due to inclement weather

ILOILO City – Several schools, both private and public, in the entire Western Visayas declared class suspension on Monday, Sept. 26, due to inclement weather and rains brought by the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Super Typhoon “Karding” (international name: Noru).

Based on Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 data, here is the number of schools per Schools Division Offices (SDOs) that canceled classes yesterday:

* SDO Antique – 382 schools

* SDO Bago City – two schools

* SDO Guimaras – 116 schools

* SDO Himamaylan City – all schools

* SDO Iloilo – 811 schools

* SDO Iloilo City – all schools

* SDO Kabankalan City – all schools

* SDO La Carlota City – all schools

* SDO Negros  Occidental – 319 schools

* SDO Sipalay – all schools

* SDO Victorias – all schools

* SDO Victorias City – 27 schools

* SDO Passi City – all schools

Meanwhile, the following SDOs did not suspend classes:

* SDO Aklan

* SDO Bacolod City

* SDO Cadiz City  

* SDO Capiz

* SDO Escalante City

* SDO Roxas City

* SDO Sagay City

* SDO San Carlos City

According to Hernani Escullar Jr., DepEd-6 regional information officer, they entrust the decision to local chief executives (LCEs) of concerned local government units (LGUs) following Department Order No. 037, Series of 2022, which states that, “local chief executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there are strong winds in specific or all areas of the LGU but have not issued a tropical cyclone warning signal.”

The LCEs can better assess the situation in their respective locales, so the decision becomes their responsibility, Escullar explained.

For example, the regional information officer cited Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas, who ordered the suspension of classes.

“To protect general welfare of the students in the city of Iloilo, I am suspending classes, from pre-school to senior high school,” part of the announcement made by Treñas.

In a similar manner, Guimaras vice governor John Edward Gando, who is serving as an officer-in-charge in the office of the governor, also decided to suspend classes.

“Due to heavy rains, upon the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and further discussion with and authority from Governor Rahman Nava as OIC Governor of the province, suspension of classes in all levels today is hereby ordered,” the order reads.

Meanwhile, Escullar said that there are also LCEs who decided to leave the decision at the parents’ or guardians’ discretion, such as in the municipality of New Lucena in Iloilo./PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here