Pagasa foresees rainy first day of classes

STUDENTS should bring with them umbrellas and raincoats on Monday as the Davao Region may experience rain on the first day of classes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Gerry Pedrico, Pagasa Davao head, said the opening of classes on Monday may be marred with rain due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) that is affecting Mindanao.

He said the rainy season has just started as the region is now experiencing continuous rain.

However, Pedrico said there is no threat of tropical storms to hit the region as typhoons generally pass through the extreme northern Luzon and entire Mindanao during the fourth quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Management Center (TMC) here is bracing up for the opening of classes on Monday.

“Gikasa na pud nato atong Oplan Balik Eskwela karon. Ginabuhat man gyud na nato kada opening sa klase,” TMC chief retired colonel Desiderio Cloribel said in a phone interview.

Cloribel said a total of 209 personnel from the TMC will be deployed on June 3 as heavy traffic is expected especially in major roads of the city.

He cited that congested traffic are usually felt in Matina Crossing, McArthur Highway especially in Ateneo de Davao University High School, Quirino Avenue, J.P Laurel Avenue corner Bacaca Road, among others.

Cloribel said streets with ongoing road rehabilitation are also expected to experience heavy traffic.

He said he advised motorists to use alternative/access roads.

The TMC will coordinate with the Davao City Police Office and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 for the traffic management on Monday. ANC