By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Thursday assured Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will study his request to be granted authority to suspend classes during typhoons.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, however, clarified that there is no official response to Remulla’s proposal yet.
“Ito po ay pag-aaralan dahil kung ito naman po ay [makabubuti] sa mas [nakararami], pag-aaralan po ito at magbibigay ng maaaring tugon ang Pangulo patungkol diyan,” Castro said, reiterating that local chief executives are still the ones authorized to decide on class suspensions in their localities.
“Pero as of the moment, kung ano ang nagiging sistema natin sa kasalukuyan kung saan ang mga liderato ng mga ahensiya ng LGU na siyang nagbibigay ng kanilang utos or order kung mayroon mang suspensyon ng klase, iyon po muna ang mananatili.”
Earlier, Remulla said he would seek the President’s approval regarding his request, citing his experience as a governor of Cavite.
“Isa sa mga pinaka hilig kong gawin noong ako ay governor… ’pag tag-ulan ay titingnan ko kaagad ang lahat ng mga weather maps mula Japan hanggang Amerika para makita ko kung kailan dadating ang bagyo sa Cavite,” the DILG chief said.
“Kasi gusto ko ’yong magulang hindi na nag-aalala, gusto ko ’yong estudyante masaya na, at gusto ko ’yong mga magulang [na] makatipid sa baon,” he added.
Strengthen flood-control efforts, agencies told
Castro likewise underscored Marcos’ directives to concerned government agencies to bolster its efforts on flood-control and -mitigation, such as the cleaning of drainage systems and other waterways in Metro Manila.
“Ayon nga po sa MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), mayroon na po silang 23 priority estero sa NCR (National Capital Region). Gamit ang makabagong equipment o mga machinery para po malinis nang agaran, itong mga estero po,” she said.
Castro added that the beneficiaries of “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers” (TUPAD) may also be tapped to help clean waterways through coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
In line with the President’s directive, the DILG has also ordered the “activation of emergency operation centers, evacuation preparedness, updated contingency plans, community drills and exercises, and the enforcement of no-build zones.” (with report from Clay Pardilla and Ryan Lesigues / PTV News)
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