BACOLOD CITY — Due to expected torrential rains, Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the cancellation of classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, as well as work in all government offices in this city on Friday.
Leonardia made the announcement through the City Public Information Office around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday after meeting with officials of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the Department of Education City Schools Division.
On Thursday afternoon, prolonged rains caused flooding in major streets of the city as well as in several barangays.
In declaring the suspension of classes and government work, Leonardia cited Presidential Executive Order No. 66 which states that in the absence of a typhoon signal warning, the localized cancellation or suspension of classes in both public and private schools and work in government offices may be implemented by the local chief executive in his/her capacity as chairperson of the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The mayor said he does not want the public to get stranded in the floods.
The CDRRMO said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts more than 90 percent chance of rainfall the whole day of Friday.
The accumulated rainfall from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday reached 72.8 mm, which is equivalent to three to four days of rains, the CDRMMO reported.
The PAGASA forecast stated that more rains in most part of the country on Friday due to the southwest monsoon.
Monsoon rains will prevail over Palawan, Mindoro, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with cloudy skies and thunderstorms in the next 24 hours, according to the 4 p.m. weather bulletin on Thursday.
The weather bureau warned of possible flooding and landslides caused by scattered rains or thunderstorms in these areas. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
