Updated law on class suspension pressed
1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. said yesterday it is about time to replace the obsolete Executive Order (EO), issued by former President Benigno Aquino III on the suspension of classes and work.
The Assistant Majority Leader explained that Executive Order 66, series of 2012 is limited only to public storm warning signals of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and to giving local government chief executives the discretion on localized suspension.
He said storm warnings have proven to be inadequate and insufficient indicators or basis for suspension of classes and work.
“The effects of storms are no longer what they used to be. Storms these days are more powerful and destructive. Even Signal No. 2 storms cause heavy rain and killer floods. We have more extreme weather events now than ever before because of global warming and climate change. Monsoon rains do not have storm warning signals,” he pointed out.
Belaro urged Malacañang to use House Bill (HB) 6072 as a template for a new, updated, upgraded, and more useful EO on suspension of classes and work.
Under HB 6072, Malacañang and other authorities can suspend classes and work at Storm Signal No. 2, instead of Signal No. 3.
HB 6072 enables Malacañang and other authorities to suspend classes and work at Storm Signal No. 2, instead of Signal No. 3.
The measure specifies the various indicators, degrees of intensity, and directly observable developments on which authorities can base their decisions to suspend.
HB 6072 factors in not just storms and floods, but also landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, storm surge, toxic chemical spills, fire, active shooter situations, hostage-taking, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and state of emergency.
“For example, updates based on rainfall predictive models and remote river monitoring devices can serve as bases for LGUs, Malacañang, and the education agencies for declaring suspensions. Rain gauges can also be deployed nationwide to help LGUs monitor their local weather,” Belaro said.