Better weather ahead – PAGASA

Residents in rain-drenched provinces of Luzon can breathe a sigh of relief, for now at least as “good” weather is seen in most parts of the country until the weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said the “habagat” or southwest monsoon, which caused massive flooding and landslides in Northern and Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the past days, is being diverted by a low pressure area (LPA) toward Southern China.

Likewise, a tropical depression with international name “Halola” outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) will not directly affect the country, Nonot explained. She also said Halola has a minimal possibility of entering the PAR.

The tropical cyclone is too far to enhance the southwest monsoon, she added.

Pangasinan floods In Pangasinan, where two weeks of torrential rains have flooded 14 towns and the city of Dagupan, relief operations and monitoring have been intensified.

Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to work round-the-clock in monitoring the flood situation as rainwater all the way from Benguet cascades down through rivers and streams to the catchbasin towns of the province.

Still contending with floods are the municipalities of Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Alaminos City, San Fabian, Bolinao, Asingan, Aguilar, Bayambang,Mabini, and parts of Dagupan City.

Classes remained suspended yesterday in Dagupan City and Calasiao.

Make-up classes The Department of Education (DepEd) reiterated yesterday that leaving the decision to school heads on the conduct of make-up classes remains the best option for public schools after suspension of classes.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, during a forum at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, said that there are existing guidelines on the conduct of make-up classes. Earlier, a teachers group criticized DepEd for allowing schools to conduct make-up classes on Saturdays.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, a 30,000-strong group, said that DepEd “should issue clear-cut guidelines on the conduct of make-up classes to avoid confusion” among schools and teachers. (With reports from Liezle Basa Iñigo and Merlina Hernando-Malipot)