Guv says no classes sans engineers’ nod

CEBU, Philippines - Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday said that until engineers give their recommendations on their inspection findings on the structural integrity of school buildings, classes shall remain suspended.

He said that the order he issued last Wednesday would be lifted only when there is already the assurance by the engineers that the school buildings are safe for use.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) urged all school heads and local chief executives to make announcement tomorrow should there be classes on Monday so parents and students can prepare.

A team led by Jocelyn Saw, coordinator of the disaster risk reduction and management office of DepEd-Manila, visited Cebu yesterday to conduct their assessment.

She said schools heads were already instructed to conduct debriefing sessions to school children as the very first activity the day classes resume.

Another thing to do, she said, is to educate students what to do during earthquakes and to identify the hazard areas.

Saw’s team inspected 1,111 classrooms in 273 Cebu schools, with 86 school buildings needing rehabilitation.

In Mandaue City, the Public Information Office (PIO) announced that classes for both public elementary and high schools would resume only on Nov. 4.

This is because next week is already the beginning of the semestral break while the Monday after that is elections day, a holiday.

In an advisory, the PIO said resumption of classes after Nov. 4 would be at the discretion of the school administration.

“We are reminding all private schools to please submit your structural integrity assessment to the Office of the Building Official and the City Mayor’s Office before you resume operation,”  it added.— /RHM (FREEMAN)