LGU’s suspend some classes

Cebu City disallows classes in hazardous areas; Province suspends classes on all levels

WHILE the Cebu Provincial Government has suspended classes in all levels yesterday and today due to tropical depression Marce, only public schools in Cebu City that are in landslideand flood-prone areas will have no classes today.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan expected that Marce will make a landfall in Bohol early morning and in Cebu by noon today.

Engr. Al Quiblat,, Pagasa Mactan acting weather chief, said Marce had maximum sustained winds near the center of 45 kph and gustiness of 55 kph.

While this developed, all resources of the City Government, including those in the barangays, are also on stand-by.

In his news conference yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña canceled the classes in certain areas only, while those that are located in safer locations will continue holding their classes.

However, Osmeña said school principals can cancel their classes if there is a need to do it due to the bad weather for the general safety of all their students.

Although the Department Order 43 series of 2012 of the Department of Education (DepEd) states that any decision to cancel or suspend classes must come from the local government unit, a school head or the principal may also do it in cases where urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm.

As of yesterday, the City Government did not suspend the classes in the city.

Among the barangays that are highly susceptible to landslides include Busay, Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot, Sirao, Taptap, Adlaon, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan and Sapangdaku.

On the other hand, Barangays Bonbon, Labangon, Kasambagan, Kinasang-an and Mabolo are considered as areas highly susceptible to flooding.

Osmeña said that although tropical depression Marce will not be as strong as the previ- ous typhoons that hit the city, it is however expected to bring more rains.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) Chief Nagiel Bañacia assured the public that all responders of the City are on-stand.

“We are encouraging the people to be alert,” Bañacia said.

CCDRRMO has also contacted private contractors and asked them to prepare their heavy equipment, such as backhoes, so areas with reported landslides can be cleared immediately.

All departments in City Hall are also on stand-by since they will be in-charge if ever there is a need to distribute relief goods to those who will need to evacuate their homes to safer places.

Mandaue City

The Mandaue City Government declared no classes on all levels of public schools today.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Office is now on a red alert status, said CDRRM Officer Felix Suico.

In a press conference, City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing said whether Cebu, especially Mandaue, will be directly affected by the typhoon or not, Mandaue “can very least expect heavy rainfall.”

“We hope nothing untoward happens...This is the first typhoon in quite some time that is directly passing through the Province of Cebu. We want to make sure that we are ready,” Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing declared no classes in public elementary schools in the afternoon yesterday.

Scale

The typhoon had a diameter of 200 kms. before it made a landfall in Surigao.

Quiblat, who was in the press conference, advised everyone to take precautionary measures for the possible landslide and flash floods.

He said yesterday that Cebu will experience moderate to heavy rains and it will be dangerous for the sea crafts to sail in the next 36 hours.

“Saturday, maka- expect ta og improved weather condition (We can expect improved weather con- dition tomorrow),” Quiblat said.

Quisumbing said there was no need yet to suspend work in the government offices.

“We also reiterate our call that should evacuation order be sounded we request all the affected residents to comply immediately,” the mayor added.

As part of the CDRRM Office preparation, Suico said his team had been monitoring the different areas in the city, especially those near the creeks.

Lapu-Lapu City

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza said that although classes will continue today, she said the City will monitor the weather condition and will coordinate with the Department of Education officials once there is a need to suspend classes.

Radaza directed CDRRM Officer Andy Berame to continue monitor the people, especially those near the shores.

As part of the preparation, the city continued declogging the drainage in the different areas in Lapu-Lapu to prevent flooding.