THE RAINY/typhoon season is upon us – also the time when classes resume. Inclement weather is a big challenge to the safety of students.
The legal basis still most often cited for the suspension of classes and work is the 2012 executive order of then President Benigno Aquino III. But Executive Order 66 is limited only to public storm warning signals of the state weather bureau and to giving local government chief executives the discretion on localized suspension. Now, storm warnings have proven to be inadequate indicators or bases for suspension of classes and work. The guidelines of the Education department, Commission on Higher Education on the suspension of classes must be revisited, too.
All too often, authorities have not been timely and accurate in their declaration of class and work cancellations. Widespread confusion, chaos and disruption of peoples’ lives have frequently resulted from this lack of a rational system governing suspension or cancellation of classes and work.
A more responsive and updated scheme is needed. There is House Bill (HB) 6072 – a good template for an upgraded and more useful executive order on suspension of classes and work. It can be updated and reconfigured by weather scientists and disaster preparedness experts. For example, updates based on rainfall predictive models and remote river monitoring devices can serve as bases for local governments, Malacañang and the education agencies for declaring suspensions. Rain gauges can also be deployed nationwide to help LGUs monitor their local weather.
The effects of storms are no longer what they used to be. Storms these days are more powerful and destructive. Even Signal No. 2 storms cause heavy rain and killer floods. We have more extreme weather events now than ever before because of global warming and climate change. Take note that monsoon rains do not have storm warning signals but they have become fiercer.
The destructive effects of storms are compounded by encroachments on waterways, poor waste management, tons of non-biodegradable garbage, ongoing roadworks, urbanization, and continuing rapid population growth. HB 6072 enables Malacañang and other authorities to suspend classes and work at Storm Signal No. 2, instead of Signal No. 3, and also factors landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, storm surge, toxic chemical spills, fire, active shooter situations, hostage-taking, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and state of emergency.
HB 6072 specifies the various indicators, degrees of intensity, and directly observable developments on which authorities can base their decisions to suspend.
The aim is to have timely and accurate declaration of class and work suspensions or cancellations to avoid widespread confusion, chaos and disruption of lives.
