MP gov tasks mayors to declare suspension of classes in storms

By Andrew Doga-ong

BONTOC, Mountain  Province – Observing that municipalities of this province have varied weather conditions during typhoon months, suspension of school classes and works in government offices will now be decided by town mayors.

This is to do away with the governor declaring the suspension or cancellation of classes and works in government offices which is of provincial application, said Gov. Leonard Mayaen during a recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting.

Mayaen said Executive Order No. 66 of the national government allows local chief executives to suspend or cancel classes and works in government offices in the absence of typhoon signals  and   if they feel danger is imminent.  

The town mayors,  he said, are in a better position to decide whether to suspend classes and works or not in their respective municipalities based on the prevailing weather situation.

Under this scheme, only municipalities  that have harsh weather conditions will suspend their classes and works leaving those towns with fair weather to continue their classes and works.  

This is to avoid the unnecessary cancellation  of classes  which the  students  and the teachers have to replace to complete the numbers of school days required in the school year, Mayaen said.

Mayaen has reportedly issued an executive order  tasking   mayors  to declare cancellation of classes and works in government offices in their municipalities in the absence of typhoon warnings issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The Governor in the same PPOC meeting also reiterated the EO 66 guidelines on the automatic suspension or cancellation of classes in all public and private schools as well as work in all government offices.

When Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school level in the affected area shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

When Signal No. 2 is raised, classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels in the affected area shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

      

When Signal No 3 or higher is raised, classes in all levels including tertiary and graduate school levels in the affected area as well as work in all government offices shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Department of  Education  Secretary Armin Luistro had earlier said in  absence of storm signal, the school principal, division superintendent or the local chief executive can decide to suspend or cancel classes if only to ensure the safety of the school children during bad weather.

Approximately 20 typhoons hit the country annually that may trigger floods and  landslides.