STUCK? GOV’T READY

Local government units ask private sector providers to get ready in case commuters get stranded by today’s Piston strike Mandaue City cancels today’s classes in public pre-school and elementary divisions

There will be classes in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City today despite the Office of the Executive Secretary’s (OES) suspension of classes in both public and private elementary and high schools in all areas affected by the transport strike.

The announcement on the OES’ move was disseminated by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino last night.

But should the situation call for a suspension of classes, the Cebu City Government will proceed with one after assessing today’s strike.

Cebu City Department of Education (DepEd) Division Schools Superintendent Bianito Dagatan explained that canceling classes would not be necessary as most public schools are of walking distance.

“Should the strike totally paralyze transport in the afternoon,

Should the strike paralyze transport in the afternoon, early dismissal will be implemented. There will be no evening classes, but make-up classes over the weekend will be arranged. DEPED DIVISION SCHOOL SUPT. DAGATAN

early dismissal will be implemented. There will be no evening classes, but make-up classes over the weekend will be arranged,” he said.

As for private schools, Dagatan said they have the prerogative to cancel classes or not.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Head Andy Berame said they will also have to assess the situation as their most common mode of transportation are tricycles and multicabs, not public utility jeepneys.

Prior to the pronouncement of Malacañang, the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu have announced that classes will continue in their areas despite the protest.

Meanwhile, classes in preschool and elementary in the cities of Mandaue and Talisay were ordered canceled. /