BACOLOD CITY -- Classes from pre-school to college were suspended in various cities in Negros Occidental Tuesday as Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted in the province Monday.
As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, TCWS No. 1 was still raised in Negros Occidental although “Basyang” had already been downgraded from Tropical Storm to Tropical Depression, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Severe Weather Bulletin No. 13.
In Bacolod, Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the suspension of classes in all public pre-school, elementary, and high schools, but several private schools also adhered to the mayor’s directive.
Leonardia said in a statement on Monday night that he issued the order to City Schools Division Supt. Cynthia Demavivas after consulting with her and Executive Assistant Jose Ma. Vargas, head of the Cluster on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Vargas said the mayor declared the suspension of classes from pre-school to high school due to the dangers of floods to schoolchildren.
“Floods affect us all – whether we are living in a small city or a big city,” he added.
For his part, Leonardia assured Bacolodnons that the city government is doing its best to cushion the impact of floods.
“We are in constant coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Engineer’s Office, Bacolod City Police Office, Bacolod City Traffic Authority Office, and other concerned agencies to continually seek more effective solutions to floods,” the mayor added.
The neighboring cities of Talisay and Bago announced the suspension of classes in all levels on Tuesday.
In the north, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III and Cadiz City Patrick Escalante also suspended classes from pre-school to high school.
Marañon advised his constituents to take precautionary measures against the threat of typhoon. (PNA)
