• CHERYL G. CRUZ
At least five mayors in Negros Island suspended the face-to-face classes for today, Sept. 22, in all levels, both public and private schools, due to inclement weather conditions brought about by super typhoon “Nando”.
Mayors Raymund Tongson of Himamaylan, Emmanuel Aranda of Binalbagan, Miguel Angelo Yulo of Isabela, John Paul Alvarez of Ilog, all in Negros Occidental, and Batchuk Cardenas of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, announced, as of 9:40 p.m. Sept. 21, the suspension of classes today, to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, and parents.
This as Malacañang also earlier announced that work in government offices nationwide is suspended, starting 1 p.m. today, in observance of the 33rd National Family Week.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, said that government work and classes today in Metro Manila, Abra, Antique, Apayao, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, llocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Palawan, Romblon, Rizal, Tarlac, and Zambales are suspended due to “Nando”.
Some of these areas have been placed, either under signal 2 or 1, while others are expected to experience heavy rains as the super typhoon further intensified, as of the 8 p.m. weather bulletin.
“Nando” has maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 240 km/h, and central pressure of 920 hPa, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outwards up to 580 km from the center, the DOST-PAGASA said. “The highest wind signal that may be hoisted throughout the passage of ‘Nando’ is Wind Signal No. 5”.
The DILG reiterated its call for all local government units (LGUs) to immediately enforce preemptive evacuation and critical safety measures, especially for barangays highly susceptible to storm surges, flooding, and landslides.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, in a statement, said that with “Nando now stronger, LGUs must waste no time in moving families out of danger zones. Lives are at stake; preemptive evacuation is no longer an option but an obligation of government and a responsibility of communities.”
He directed LGUs to implement preemptive or mandatory evacuation; strictly enforce the no-sail policy to protect fisherfolk and travelers; and to ensure that evacuation centers are powered, stocked, and safe for evacuees.
The weather bureau said that sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. “All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.”
“Nando” may exit the Philippine area of responsibility early morning tomorrow, it added. | CGC
