ILOILO City – Stressing the importance of keeping students safe, Mayor Jose Espinosa III ordered the suspension of classes in public and private schools in all levels today.
In announcing the suspension around 7:30 p.m. yesterday, Espinosa cited southwest monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Depression “Josie.”
“We are experiencing monsoon rains which are moderate to heavy, and at times torrential, for several hours,” he said.
Espinosa also said flooding had been monitored in the following areas of the city: Jalandoni Street, De Leon Street, Fuentes Street, Barangay Sto. Rosario Duran, Alta Tierra Village Phase 1 in Jaro district, La Paz public plaza, and Barangay Calubihan in Jaro.
According to the mayor, Executive Order No. 66 Series of 2012 issued by the President prescribed rules on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices due to typhoons, flooding, other weather disturbances and calamities.
In the absence of a typhoon signal warning from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), localized cancellation/suspension of classes in both public and private schools and work in government offices may be implemented by the local chief executive in his/her capacity as chairperson of the local disaster risk reduction and management council.
Espinosa said the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office continuously monitors weather updates.
Tropical Depression “Josie” slightly weakened as it moved towards the Philippine Sea.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Pagasa said “Josie” was last spotted 330 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph and was moving north northeast at 25 kph.
All tropical cyclone warning signals were lifted.
Maintaining its speed and direction, the tropical depression is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this morning.
Meanwhile, Pagasa is monitoring another low pressure area (LPA) located 1,580 km east of southern Luzon.
Pagasa weather forecaster Ariel Rojas said the LPA may enter PAR within the next 24 to 48 hours and is likely to develop into a tropical depression which will be named “Karding.”
Only two weeks ago, on July 9, the city government suspended classes in public and private preschools and elementary schools due to heavy southwest monsoon rains.
The southwest monsoon was enhanced by Typhoon “Gardo”./PN
