• CHERYL G. CRUZ
For the third straight day, classes in all levels, both public and private schools, in Bacolod City and most of local government units in Negros Occidental have been suspended, still due to the inclement weather, with at least three LGUs extending the suspension until Sept. 20.
In Murcia, acting mayor Johnny Reosura issued Executive Order 23 suspending face-to-face (F2F) classes from Sept. 18 to 20 in all levels of public schools in the town due to heavy to intense rain forecast because of habagat and the two tropical cyclones.
“For private schools, the decision is left to the sound judgment of their respective principal or administrator,” Reosura said as he urged residents to be vigilant and take precautionary measures against possible landslides and flooding.
With continuous rain, soil water saturation is now very high and poses risks of rain-induced landslide and flooding in rivers, tributaries, and low-lying areas, he added.
In Ilog, “modular mode of learning shall also be conducted, in all levels for both public and private schools, instead of in-person classes, until Sept. 20, as per instruction of Mayor John Paul Alvarez.”
Mayor John Rey Tabujara of Cauayan also suspended F2F classes until Sept. 20. “School heads are advised to shift to alternative delivery modes for learners.”
Mayor Alfredo Benitez extended the suspension of face-to-face classes, from pre-elementary to senior high, both in public and private schools in Bacolod, for today, Sept. 18. “Schools can conduct alternative modes of learning, such as asynchronous classes. The cancellation of classes at the college level will be at the discretion of their respective institutions.”
In Talisay, Mayor Neil Lizares suspended classes Sept. 18, in all levels from preschool to college, due to the continuing inclement weather with forecasted heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon.
Acting mayor Eric Matulac of E.B. Magalona also extended the suspension of in-person classes in the town. “Work in government offices, however, shall continue.”
Other LGUs that extended the cancellation of classes for the third straight day, as of 7:40 p.m. Sept. 17, were La Carlota City, Silay City, Bago City, Isabela, Hinoba-an, Sipalay City, Binalbagan, Pulupandan, Victorias City, Himamaylan City, Don Salvador Benedicto, La Castellana, and Moises Padilla.
Tropical Depression (TD) “Gener” continued to move westward over the West Philippine Sea, and was estimated based on all available data at 235-kilometer west northwest of Baguio City, as of the 8 p.m. weather bulletin.
“Gener” has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 996 hPa, with strong winds extending outwards up to 480km from the center, the DOST-PAGASA said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 1 has been hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the western portion of Pangasinan.
The southwest monsoon, enhanced by “Gener” and “Pulasan” will bring strong to gale-force gusts, especially in coastal and upland areas of Visayas, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, and Mindanao Sept. 18.
Gale warning is in effect over several coastal waters in the western seaboard of Southern Luzon and the western and central seaboards of the Visayas. “Sea travel in these waters is risky for small seacrafts, including all types of motor bancas.”
“Gener” is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early morning today. | CGC
