MANILA -- The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded all public and private schools nationwide to prioritize the safety and well-being of learners as the rainy season officially starts.
In a statement over the weekend, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Service at DepEd's Central Office, DRRM units at the Regional and School Division Offices and the school heads and DRRM coordinators should lead the preparation and implementation of precautionary measures to mitigate the impacts of the rainy season.
"Classes in affected areas are automatically suspended based on PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) declared storm signals, while local government units-not DepEd- decide on and announce class suspensions within their areas of jurisdiction during calamities in the absence of storm signal," she said.
Briones called on the parents to use discretion in determining whether their children should go to school during typhoons, floods and other calamities in the absence of announcement of class cancellations or suspensions.
Due to inclement weather brought about by the southwest monsoon, enhanced by tropical cyclone Maliksi (formerly "Domeng"), classes in Metro Manila and nearby areas have been suspended Monday (June 11).
On Friday, state weather bureau Pagasa declared the start of the rainy season. (PNA)
