DILG backs NCR guidelines on class suspension

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is supporting the move of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to draft new guidelines on the suspension of classes during inclement weather.

DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año said the decision of the council to come up with a uniform policy for class suspension is necessary to prevent confusion.

“We are glad that the Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) have taken proactive steps on this matter considering the difficulty encountered by students and employees of returning home if class or work is suspended late,” said Año.

On Tuesday, the MMC resolved to create unified guidelines on class suspension after several mayors were bashed and scored on social media for delayed suspension of classes.

The government’s hotline 8888 was also flooded with complaints about mayors regarding non-suspension of classes.

“We are ready to assist the Council in whatever way we can to come up with the needed guidelines,’’ added Año.

DILG Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya added that he understands the predicament faced by mayors in deciding whether to suspend classes and work or not because they have to take into consideration weather advisories and reports on the real situation on the ground.

“We recognize the difficulty of mayors in making an informed and wise decision each time there’s a bad weather. We hope that through the soon-to-be released policy and with constant collaboration with the concerned agencies of the government, they will be ably guided in making the right pronouncement that will be acceptable to the students, the workers, the parents and even the business community,” Malaya said.