MM classes suspended today

MANILA, Philippines - Classes in much of Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Visayas are suspended today due to the threat of bad weather from Typhoon Ruby, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday. 

In the National Capital Region, the local government units that announced class suspension in all levels were the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, Pasay, Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Pasig, Muntinlupa, Pateros, Quezon, Makati, Marikina, Mandaluyong and San Juan.

In Caloocan, classes classes covers pre-school to high school. Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan yesterday said college students would have to wait for the announcement of their class cancellation.

Today is a non-working holiday in Taguig City.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned residents of Metro Manila and Central and Southern Luzon to brace for strong winds, heavy rains and possible flooding today and tomorrow.

As of 6 p.m. yesterday, Metro Manila remained under storm warning signal No. 1. But PAGASA senior weather forecaster Jori Loiz said there is still a possibility that signal No. 2 may be raised over the metropolis.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said the NCRPO’s motorboats and trucks are on standby for the evacuation of residents of low-lying areas in the metropolis and transport of stranded commuters.

Classes in all levels, both public and private, are suspended in the provinces of Bataan, Obando in Bulacan, Cavite (until tomorrow), Quezon, Rizal, Calapan City Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.

Classes in all levels in Cebu, including Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Carcar City; as well as in Bohol and Cadiz City, Negros Occidental are also cancelled today.

 Local executives of Palawan, Palawan; Coron, Palawan; Culion, Palawan; Busuanga, Palawan suspended classes from pre-school to high school today. In Dumaguete City, the suspension of classes today only covers pre-school.

As per Executive Order No. 66 signed by President Aquino on Jan. 9, 2012, classes shall be automatically suspended without need for any announcement from the school or the DepEd or Commission on Higher Education in the following situations:

When signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school level in the affected area shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels shall be automatically cancelled or suspended in areas where signal No. 2 is raised.

 When signal No. 3 or higher is raised by PAGASA, classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled.

In the absence of typhoon signal warnings, the suspension of classes and work in government offices may be implemented by local chief executives, the order said.

APEC meeting to push through

Meanwhile, the Informal Senior Officers’ Meeting (ISOM) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will push through today in Makati City despite the typhoon.

Valmoria said a “sufficient” number of police personnel would be deployed in hotels in Makati City where delegates from APEC member nations would meet.

The NCRPO would also secure places of convergence, nightspots and tourist spots to prevent criminals from preying on APEC delegates. – With Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran