By Celeste Anna Formoso – PNA News
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Classes in kindergarten and elementary schools have been cancelled in northern Palawan municipalities in preparation for the expected crossing of Tropical Depression Samuel, an education official said Wednesday.
Classes in all levels have been suspended in the municipalities of Cuyo, Magsaysay, Agutaya, and San Vicente as of 6 a.m. Wednesday, Department of Education (DepEd) – Palawan spokesperson, Grace Estefano, said.
“Nag-declare sila na walang pasok in all levels. Okay naman iyon per their assessment (They declared no classes in all levels, which is okay based on their assessment),” she said.
Classes have also been suspended from kinder to Grade 6 in El Nido, and kinder to Grade 12 in the municipalities of Taytay, Busuanga, and Caganyancillo.
However, no cancellation of classes has been noted by DepEd-Palawan in Dumaran, Roxas, Linapacan, Coron, and Araceli.
School heads can suspend classes even without the local government units issuing executive orders (EO), she said.
They are authorized to do so under DepEd Order No. 43, series of 2012, and EO No. 66, or the rules on the cancellation or suspension of classes or work in government offices due to typhoons, flooding, and other weather disturbances and calamities.
In Puerto Princesa, information officer, Richard Ligad, said the “automatic suspension of classes” had already been set in motion in pre-school, both in public and private schools.
Sonny Pajarilla, chief of the local office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Palawan, including Cuyo Islands and Calamianes Islands Group as of November 21.
PAGASA’s weather bulletin said that as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, “Samuel” was over the Visayan sea, heading towards Iloilo province.
Moderate to heavy rains, which may trigger flooding and landslides, are expected over the Bicol region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and Quezon.
Residents of these areas, especially those living near or in river channels, low-lying and mountainous areas, have been advised to take appropriate measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates.
“Samuel” has maximum sustained winds of 45 km. per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
