Downpour, floods force suspension of classes

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — Classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, were suspended in this city yesterday afternoon due to heavy rains as typhoon Hanna (international name: Soudelor) continued to stir the southwest monsoon.

Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, together with Clarissa Geroche Zamora, officer-in-charge superintendent of the City Schools Division, and Darwin Joemil Papa of the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, announced the suspension before noon yesterday.

In a press conference, Espinosa said Mayor Patrick Jed Mabilog also ordered the CDRRMC to monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, although no public storm warning signal was hoisted in the region, the Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo Station ordered the cancellation of sea travel to and from Iloilo and Bacolod City early morning yesterday.

Lieutenant Edison Diaz, PCG-Iloilo Station commander, said his office was compelled to issue the order due to strong water current, and would lift it when the weather stabilizes.

Passenger pump boats, plying Iloilo City-Guimaras and vice versa, were however allowed to sail, although Diaz said they must still comply with several conditions.

These conditions were: Sail only from sunrise to sunset; there must be good visibility; they must only have 50 percent of their passenger capacity; and all passengers and crew should wear life jackets. -  (FREEMAN)