High tide disrupts classes in Malabon

Malabon City Mayor Canuto Oreta, in coordination with the local school division superintendent, ordered the suspension of classes yesterday until tomorrow in at least seven elementary schools in the city due to the abnormal rise in sea level.

"The high tide is expected to reach two meters on Thursday and Friday, which is something unusual especially when there is no rain," Bong Padua, Oreta’s public information officer, said.

A 1.9-meter high tide yesterday forced Oreta to order the cancellation of classes at the Dampalit Main and Dampalit I Elementary Schools, Malabon Elementary School, Tonsuya Elementary School, Panghulo Main and Panghulo I Elementary Schools, and Niugan Elementary School.

According to Padua, high tide today and tomorrow is expected to occur at around 11 a.m.

"With the expected rise in water level, many parts of Malabon would again be inundated, affecting several pupils," Padua said.

He said Oreta’s directive was issued in consultation with City School Division Superintendent Rodolfo Marucot. Malabon City has a total of six public high schools and 28 public elementary schools.

Padua, however, clarified that Oreta has given the local district supervisors authority to suspend classes in their respective jurisdictions during high tide.

"District supervisors, through their school principals, are the first to know the flood situation in their respective jurisdictions, so I am giving them the authority to decide whether to suspend classes or not," Padua quoted the mayor as saying.

Only during high tides compounded by heavy rains can the mayor order the "outright" suspension of classes, Padua said.

Oreta, Padua said, directed yesterday school principals to coordinate with the Office of the Mayor or the PIO to synchronize their effort in making decision on the suspension classes due to floods.