Consistent rains cause cancellation of classes

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered the cancellation of classes yesterday due to the continuous rains brought about by tropical depression Crising.

However, many parents complained that the announcement was late as they already sent their children to school despite the bad weather.

Dr. Danilo Gudelosao, Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City division officer-in-charge, told The Freeman that when he spoke with Rama early morning yesterday, they were still monitoring the weather.

Rama first declared cancellation of classes for schools in the mountain barangays.

Gudelosao added Rama later ordered the cancellation of classes in all schools as he did not want to take chances in the change of weather condition.

Gudelosao said that they disseminated the announcement of the cancellation past 5 p.m.

Gudelosao said that the classes will resume today. A Saturday make-up class will soon be scheduled.

Even as tropical depression Crising weakened and storm warning signal in Mindanao provinces lifted, flights and sea travels were still cancelled in Cebu.

Cebu Coast Guard Commander Weniel Azcuna told The Freeman they have listed a total of 12 vessels that were prevented from sailing due to bad weather condition since Tuesday.

“Of the 12, four were mandatory and the eight voluntarily cancelled their trips,” Azcuna said.

Yesterday, four trips were cancelled.

M/V Starcraft 5 bound for Getafe, Bohol and scheduled to leave pier 3 at 9:30 a.m. was not allowed to sail.

At 12 noon, M/V Super Shuttle 10 from Pulangbato, Bogo City going to Palompon, Leyte was cancelled.

Two trips were suspended an hour after - M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 17 from Danao City to Camotes Islands and Aircity Island 2 from Hagnaya, San Remigio to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island.

Seven other trips were earlier cancelled Tuesday with two vessels bound for Leyte, one for Dapitan, another one for Ozamiz and the rest for Negros provinces and Iloilo.

M/V Lady of Angels was prevented from leaving Pier 3 Tuesday night for Bato town while M/V Lapulapu Ferry 8 did not sail to the municipality of Baybay.

Trips of Dapitan-bound M/V Light Ferry 6 and Ozamiz-bound M/V Filipinas Ozamiz of Cokaliong were also cancelled.

Even though “Crising” has lost its strength and is now in Palawan, the Coast Guard’s warning for small fishing boats remains.

“We are still urging the fisherfolks not to sail because the seas are still rough,” Azcuna added.

In Capitol, Acting Governor Agnes Magpale said that she has instructed newly appointed head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Neil Sanchez to closely monitor municipalities and towns in the province, especially those that are prone to floods and landslides.

As of press time, there is no untoward incident reported but they will continue to keep an eye on all areas in the province in the next few days.

Sanchez said that while some classes were cancelled in the province and ships in provincial ports suspended their trips, no other typhoon-related incident like landslides, flooding, and damages were reported.

Magpale said that she did not announce a province-wide suspension of classes yesterday as she gave the prerogative to the respective mayors in the towns and cities.

Classes in all levels in the cities of Talisay and Naga were cancelled yesterday.

Talisay City Information Officer Arturo Bas also asked  all barangay captains, especially the coastal and mountain barangays, to take safety measures and be vigilant against big waves. — (FREEMAN)