by Roel Amazona and Lizbeth Ann Abella/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — Several local government units in Eastern Visayas on Monday suspended classes as Tropical Depression Amang threatens to cross Leyte and Samar provinces.
In the regional capital, Mayor Cristina Romualdez issued the class suspension order Sunday night to ensure the safety of learners. The region’s most populated schools are located in this city.
“In anticipation of weather disturbance and due to recent flooding of some areas in the city, a need for another localized cancellation or suspension of classes on all levels public and private schools should be implemented,” Romualdez said.
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla has declared the suspension of classes in all levels in the entire province. Mayors of several towns in Leyte and Ormoc City also issued similar executive orders.
In Northern Samar, Vice Governor Gary Lavin declared the suspension of classes in the entire province for elementary and secondary schools as a precautionary measure.
Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado also cancelled classes from kindergarten to senior high school in the entire province.
Class suspensions were also ordered in Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Sta. Rita, Hinabangan, Villareal, Marabut, Daram, Sta. Margarita, Paranas, and Gandara in Samar province; Biliran Almeria, Kawayan, Naval, and Culaba in Biliran province; San Julian, Borongan City, Can-avid, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; and Maasin City in Southern Leyte.
Prior to Amang’s landfall, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) had already issued an advisory to all LGUs to be on alert for any possible flooding or landslide, and urged them to activate their respective emergency operation centers, conduct pre-emptive evacuation, and ask fishermen not to venture into open seas.
In Northern Samar province where the capital town of Catarman and Lope de Vega was badly hit by Tropical Depression Usman before New Year’s Day, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also convened its members to assure the public that all personnel, equipment and resources are ready and relief goods are already prepositioned in disaster-prone areas.
The quick-response and rescue teams that included personnel from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Army are all on standby.
In the region, Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 was hoisted since the weekend over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar provinces.
Also placed under Signal No. 1 are eastern Bohol, northern Cebu, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
