36 local government units in province suspend classes

CEBU, Philippines —  A total of 36 local government units, including the highly urbanized cities, across Cebu Province have suspended classes on Friday, July 18, 2025, as Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha) continues to bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and heightened flood risks in several areas.

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), led by Head Dennis Francis V. Pastor, released an updated situation report at 8 a.m. confirming the extent of class suspensions from north to south of Cebu as a precautionary measure for the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel.

Among the LGUs that declared full suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, are Ronda, Alcantara, Alegria, Carcar City, San Fernando, Minglanilla, Tuburan, Cordova, Badian, Malabuyoc, Samboan, Tabuelan, Pinamungajan, Barili, Asturias, and Aloguinsan.

Boljoon, Borbon, Sogod, Lapu-Lapu City, Alegria, Danao City, Santander, Catmon, Balamban, Carmen, Mandaue City, Tabogon, and Cebu City also joined the list with suspension orders for all levels.

Some LGUs implemented selective suspensions. In Ginatilan, classes were suspended in the afternoon only. Dumanjug declared an afternoon-only suspension for both public and private schools. In Sibonga, only public school classes were suspended.

On Hilantagaan Island in Santa Fe, Bantayan a special note was made due to teachers needing to traverse the sea from mainland Santa Fe to the island and vice versa, raising serious safety concerns amid rough seas caused by the storm.

Other municipalities such as Consolacion and Toledo also implemented class suspensions as part of the province-wide precautionary efforts.

In Madridejos, the situation has affected 12,615 fisherfolk in 14 barangays, as the local port remains inactive due to dangerous sea conditions.

In Danao City, trips to and from Camotes Island have been canceled, stranding travelers and residents.

The PDRRMO has likewise issued a tourism advisory in Badian, temporarily closing the popular Kawasan Falls and suspending all canyoneering activities in response to the heavy rainfall and potential flash floods.

While the storm's center is located far from Cebu, the enhanced southwest monsoon continues to dump rains across the Visayas, including Cebu.

The latest General Flood Advisory issued by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for Region 7 warned of light to moderate rains and thunderstorms, with possible flooding in rivers and tributaries, including Kotkot, Mananga, Guinabasan, Balamban, and Sabangdaku in Cebu.

Residents near riverbanks and mountainous areas were urged to remain vigilant and heed evacuation notices from local authorities.

The PDRRMO emphasized that the public must not be complacent despite the storm’s distance from the province.

Coordination among the Cebu Provincial Government, local disaster officers, and line agencies remains ongoing to ensure timely dissemination of updates and response actions.

Situation reports are being compiled every two hours and distributed to concerned offices.

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano said that residents of Barangay Banilad can expect significant relief from flooding, as Phase Two of the city’s flood control project is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

Ouano personally visited the flood control project sites in Barangay Banilad on July 18, 2025. The project, which was initiated by the previous administration, is now under his administration’s continued implementation and monitoring.

The visit focused on Phase 2 of the project, which is currently underway at a private warehouse in Sitio Orel with a budget of ?51.1 million. As of yesterday, excavation works were still ongoing and had already reached 50% completion.

In an interview with reporters, Ouano shared that the contractor estimates Phase Two will be completed by October. However, the mayor said he is allowing an additional month as a leeway to ensure the project is completed properly.

“Nipasalig ang contractor nga by October mahuman na hatagan lang nato og leeway by November mahuman to masumpay ni ang naa sa rolling hills makatabang tabang gyud,” said Ouano.

Meanwhile, Phase One of the project, located in the Rolling Hills area, has already been completed with a budget of P12.7 million.

Ouano assured residents that while flooding cannot be solved overnight, the city government is actively taking steps to address the issue, with hopes of significantly improving the situation by next year.

Residents of the barangay shared that floodwaters in the area can rapidly rise to waist-deep—and even up to neck level—within just a few minutes of rainfall.

Moreover, the visit was also prompted by the heavy flooding that occurred last Wednesday, July 16, which affected not only Mandaue City but also other parts of Metro Cebu.

“Kaning problema nato sa baha long-standing problem naman gyud ni, time immemorial naman gyud,” said Ouano.

According to the plan, Phase 1 in the Rolling Hills area will be connected to Phase 2 in Sitio Orel. Once both phases are completed, work will proceed to Phase 3, which will be funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Ouano said that once the project is completed, the flooding situation in the area will greatly improve compared to the current conditions.

However, Ouano said that the city still faces challenges, especially with redirecting the water downstream. He added that there are 38 families who need to be relocated due to potential impact.

He said that since they need to undergo the proper procedures, he will make sure to relocate the informal settlers properly to the new site before the end of the year.

“Para ang atong mga projects nga gipanghimo wala nay blockage gani, dere-deretso na gyud so ma-improve gyud  ang atong drainage diri nga area,” said Ouano.

Meanwhile, Banilad Barangay Captain Greg Yap explained that the barangay already owns a land designated for relocation, with only proper subdivision remaining to speed up the transfer of informal settlers.

Yap said that some houses and structures are built directly on the waterway, which he said is why the creek has become narrower.

In addition, Engr. Gumer Castillo, District Engineer of the DPWH Sixth Engineering Office, said that their challenge in implementing the interior waterways project is the presence of informal settlers in the area.

Castillo emphasized that since their budget covers only civil works, close coordination with the local government unit is crucial to address their challenges.

He said they will definitely seek help from the city government to relocate the informal settlers affected by Phase 3, which is the next phase of the project to be implemented.

The project involves constructing a solid boxtype canal measuring over 500 but less than 600 meters, which will connect Phase 2 in Sitio Orel to Mahiga Creek.

“Dako kaayo ning solbad, tinabangay lang gyud ta tanan,” said Castillo.

Mayor Ouano emphasized that although flooding may not be completely eliminated, it will at least be minimized, especially in AS Fortuna and other flood-prone areas of Barangay Banilad.

“Kung sauna abtan pa to og taga liog, hopefully taga tuhod nalang ang after ma completed ni ang project,” said Ouano.

Ouano said that redirecting the bulk water flow in the area is very important and requires coordination with the national government to significantly improve the situation.

Aside from the DPWH, Mayor Ouano said that Mandaue City can secure national funding through the Office of Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, which will provide funds for a pump system.

Mayor Ouano said that his sister will install two pumps to divert the water flow from AS Fortuna to MC Briones, helping to reduce the water level in AS Fortuna.

“Mao ni naka nindot karon nga magkasinabot ang national og local paspas gyud,” said Ouano.

Ouano said that the rapid rollout of projects in Mandaue City is due to the teamwork between the local and national governments, especially given the significant funds involved. (CEBU NEWS)