Classes, hearings suspended

MANILA, PHilippines - Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando ordered yesterday the suspension of classes at all levels until Friday to give way to clearing operations and the rehabilitation of the city, the hardest hit by typhoon “Ondoy.”

In a radio interview, Fernando said the city is still reeling from the deaths of 72 residents and the heavy damage brought by flash floods.

She said some of the elementary and high schools were being used as evacuation centers for affected residents.

In Manila, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) – whose campus is located along flood-prone España Boulevard in Sampaloc – has declared the suspension of classes at all levels until Wednesday to give way to repair work on university facilities damaged by the flood.

UST public and alumni affairs director Giovanna Fontanilla said the school’s support staff are expected to be at work today “to make sure the university’s facilities are ready for classes on Thursday.”

Fontanilla said the university’s teaching staff were asked to continue lessons via the Internet.

The Supreme Court, on the other hand, announced the cancellation of hearings in the cities of Pasig, Marikina and Malabon in Metro Manila; and Cainta, San Mateo and Antipolo in Rizal upon orders of Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

Presiding judges in these courts were also told to regularly report to Court Administrator Jose Perez the conditions in their respective areas, though they could decide when courts could resume session.

Puno also ordered justices and judges “to relax the rules on attendance and take into consideration and properly record absences and tardiness incurred on account of typhoon Ondoy.” – Non Alquitran, Rainier Allan Ronda, Edu Punay