‘Harurot’ aborts launching of Strong Republic school

The scheduled launch of the Strong Republic School could not stand up to the wrath of "Harurot," but President Arroyo proceeded with her visits yesterday to schools in Laguna and Rizal despite the suspension of classes.

The President dropped in at Laguio Elementary School in Siniloan, Laguna and the Taytay school in Sta. Ana, even if the classrooms were nearly empty after classes were suspended at noon.

Harurot also put a damper on Mrs. Arroyo’s set groundbreaking of the Taytay National High School in Rizal.

The President had at first thought of canceling her school visit since elementary and high school students were sent home by noon.

But she decided to proceed with her visit to these schools, even if the launch of the Strong Republic School –which is part of Laguio Elementary –was washed out by Harurot.

From Malacañang, Mrs. Arroyo first motored to Sta. Cruz, Laguna yesterday to administer the mass graduation held at San Luis Sports complex where she joined about 3,000 barangay tanods who underwent training by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

But before the new graduates of the anti-drug campaign can harness their skills to detect illegal drug activities, Mrs. Arroyo told the barangay tanods to do their primary duty to help in times of natural calamities like typhoon Harurot.

"Since there is a typhoon alert, the first thing that you should do is to go back to your respective places," she told the barangay watchmen.

At the Palace, Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo issued Memorandum Circular 43 that suspended work in all government agencies, including government-owned and -controlled corporations, effective noon yesterday due to inclement weather.

On recommendation of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Romulo ordered the suspension of work in all government offices in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila and the province of Northern Samar, which were all battered by Harurot.

Government agencies concerned with emergency and rescue operations and those manning vital public services would remain open to serve the public or provide skeletal forces in their respective offices until 5 p.m. "or beyond as the exigency of the services require."