DUMAGUETE CITY – Some local chief executives in Negros Oriental have declared the suspension of classes in their respective areas due to heavy rains brought about by the southwestern monsoon, enhanced by Typhoon Ompong.
Adrian Sedillo, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said the mayors have taken the initiative to declare a suspension of classes even without the same being declared by Governor Roel Degamo.
Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bacong, Valencia, Tanjay City, Amlan, Mabinay, Dauin, Pamplona, and Guihulngan City have so far suspended the classes as of Friday, he noted.
“The governor did not declare the suspension or cancellation of classes because according to him, he is leaving it upon the discretion of the local chief executive,” Sedillo said.
“Also, the governor is doing the same with the government agencies as far as the suspension of work is concerned,” he added.
Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, has not made any declaration, as Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo was quoted by city information officer Dems Rey Demecillo as saying the city/province is not directly affected by Typhoon Ompong and no public storm signal has been hoisted here.
Sedillo further explained that the governor does not want to make a declaration because the current weather conditions in a particular area might not warrant such.
“Si governor dili mu declare kay usahay basin unya nga maayo ra ang panahon sa ubang lugar (The governor does not want to make a declaration because the weather in some areas may just be fair),” Sedillo said.
The mayors are empowered under Executive Order No. 66 (Prescribing Rules on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities) to make the declaration at their own level, he added. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
