• CHERYL G. CRUZ
In-person classes remain suspended Oct. 22 in Bacolod City, and in Talisay City, Hinoba-an, and E.B. Magalona, in Negros Occidental due to the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Depression Kristine.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez issued an executive order Oct. 21, suspending classes from pre-elementary to senior high school, in both public and private schools.
He said that schools can shift to alternative modes of learning, such as asynchronous classes, adding that the cancellation of classes at the college level will be at the discretion of the respective institutions.
In response to Benitez’s EO, the University of St. La Salle cancelled the basic education face-to-face classes Oct. 21-22. “During this time, classes will shift to asynchronous mode to ensure continued learning.”
The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos also suspended classes from Nursery to Grade 12.
But it stressed in an advisory that midterm examinations at the college level, and offices continue. “Students are allowed to be in civilian attire from Oct. 21-26. Those who are affected by the tropical depression and who find it difficult to take the examinations as scheduled are advised to coordinate with their respective deans and instructors at the earliest time.”
Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias of Hinoba-an also announced the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private schools, including teaching and nonteaching personnel, Oct. 22.
In E.B. Magalona, face-to-face classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, remain cancelled Oct. 22, with schools urged to shift to the modular modality of learning.
“Work in government offices, however, shall continue,” the local government unit said in an advisory, even as it advised residents to brace for flooding and rain-induced landslides.
Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to storm surges, floods, and landslides are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from the MDRRMO and local officials, the LGU said.
Talisay Mayor Neil Lizares also cancelled classes, effective noon Oct. 21 up to Oct. 22, from preschool to senior high school.
As of the 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the center of TD Kristine was estimated based on all available data at 760-kilometer east of Catarman, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 has already been hoisted over eastern and northern Samar, Leyte, and Biliran in the Visayas; Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao-Bucas Grande Group in Mindanao; and the southeastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, northern and eastern portions of Quezon, including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate, including Ticao Island and Burias Island, in Luzon.
“Kristine” is forecast to move west southwestward until Tuesday morning, before turning generally west northwestward for the rest of the forecast period. It may make landfall over Northern Luzon Thursday evening or Friday morning, the DOST-PAGASA said.
It may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, and may reach severe tropical storm category on Oct. 23, and typhoon category on Oct. 24, before making landfall. “Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions,” the weather bureau said. | CGC
