ILOILO CITY — Classes have been suspended in some local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo due to monsoon rains, which may be enhanced by typhoon “Gardo” which entered the Philippine area of responsibility Monday morning.
Iloilo City Acting Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, in anticipation of the possible effects of the occasional heavy rains, declared the suspension of classes in the pre-school and elementary levels, both in public and private schools as early as 5 a.m. Monday.
“We would like to ensure that our children are protected and safe at this time; their general welfare is our topmost concern,” he said.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) continues to monitor weather updates and other related warning agencies.
“We conducted roving operations since yesterday and until this morning, which proved that there are flooded areas. Given the low-lying location of the city, our constituents experience flooding after the continuous rainfall, for an hour or two, which is further worsened by the ongoing construction of roads in the city, including the drainage, which may be dangerous to preschoolers and elementary students,” the mayor stated.
The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) through its information officer, Dr. Lea Belleza, said that the local chief executives of the town of Pavia, Zarraga and Alimodian suspended classes in all levels in their areas of jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Director Jose Roberto R. Nuñez, also chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (RDRRMC), advised people living in mountain slopes and low-lying areas of water courses that are likely to be affected by rainfall induced by the typhoon to take precautionary measures.
The RDRRMC, in its general flood advisory No. 3, identified the rivers and their tributaries likely to be affected by heavy rainfall as those in Sibalom, Ipayo, Cagaranan, Palawan, Cairauan, Dalanas and Tibiao in Antique; Panay, Mambusao, Panay Malinao, Alingon and Balantian in Capiz; Pinantan, Barotac, Akalaygan, Jalaud, Jalano, Jagdong, Jalaur, Lamunan, Jaro-Aganan, Sibalom and Guimbal in Iloilo; Ibajay and Jalo in Aklan; and Malogo, Sicaba, Grande, Himocaan, Danao, Upper Tyabanan, Sipalay and Lower Ilog in Negros Occidental.
The concerned local DRRM Councils in these areas were also advised to undertake necessary preparations as Nuñez underscored that they “untiringly aim for zero casualty”. (Perla Lena/PNA)
