Two mountain schools under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines - Two public schools in Cebu City’s mountain barangays were placed under a state of calamity yesterday in anticipation for the effects of the expected onset of rainy season.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration foresees the imminent onset of rainy season early June based on the climate model outputs.

“Personally, I am declaring (Busay Elementary School and Sapangdaku  Elementary School) under the state of calamity because we knew very well that we are not in control of nature and we can never challenge the nature,” Mayor Michael Rama said.

However, an approved resolution by the City Council is needed to supplement the declaration of the mayor.

Yardstick

Last week, some 500 students had to be moved out of the Sapangdaku Elementary School when the river beside it overflowed following a heavy downpour.

According to Rama, this prompted him to declare the area under a state of calamity.

As to Busay ES, the declaration is vital in allocating funds since the school buildings need to be retrofitted due to their weakening structural integrity caused by a 2007 landslide.

The school has been identified by DENR-7’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau as “highly” susceptible to landslide based on a geohazard investigation conducted seven years ago.

Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent  Rhea Mar Angtud said classes at Sapangdaku ES have been temporarily suspended since last week due to the incident.

Since Rama will no longer allow holding of classes at Sapangdaku ES for security reasons, Angtud said the barangay hall will be utilized as temporary classroom of at least 500 students. Tents may also be put in place in case the need arises.

“It (Sapangdaku ES building) cannot anymore be used as a school and it cannot be operational again,” Rama stressed.

New rooms

Meanwhile, the mayor convened yesterday Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, members of the city local school, DepEd, Sapangdaku barangay officials and City Engineer Jose Marie Poblete. 

The city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works is planning to build eight classrooms to accommodate the displaced students.

DepEd and the city government are also set to conduct an assembly with the students’ parents to tackle on the current situation of the school. 

“Gi-suspend ang klase then we will have an assembly with the parents. They (parents) have an option of transferring their children to the nearest school but if they choose not to, then their children will be catered temporarily sa barangay hall,” Angtud said.

“Mapasalamaton kita sa barangay kay dako nga sakripisyo ang ilang gihimo nga mo-vacate sa barangay hall to give way sa atong mga children. Maapektuhan ang mga bata but the safety of the children must come first,” she added.   (FREEMAN)