ILOILO CITY -- Classes in all levels in Iloilo City were cancelled effective 3 p.m. while boat trips bound for Guimaras from Iloilo and vice-versa will only be until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Mayor Jose Espinosa made the announcement of the cancellation of classes Tuesday afternoon following a monitoring of the situation in the city, and acting upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and taking into account the welfare of the people and students.
"Many of the schools, colleges and universities have been flooded due to heavy rains and strong winds,” he said.
CDRRMO head Donna Magno said based on the available data, such as the Doppler Radar of Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration)," the cloud cover is thicker that means it will bring more rains."
“In the next one to two hours there will be continuous rains,” she said.
The CDRRMO is now crafting contingencies in case there will be stranded passengers bound for Guimaras or there will be lack of available vehicles to transport commuters going home from schools and offices.
She said there is a need for inter-local government unit collaboration between Iloilo City and Guimaras so passengers who get stranded will be provided with necessary assistance.
On Monday, Guimaras-Iloilo trips and vice versa were temporarily suspended leaving hundreds of stranded passengers.
Meantime, Lt. Rodolfo Dela Peña, Iloilo station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard announced that Iloilo to Jordan and Iloilo to Buenavista trips and vice versa will only be until 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
It was made upon the recommendation of the Jordan Motorbanca Association.
“We have concurred because of the unpredictable prevailing weather situation,” he added.
He said there was no cancellation for fast craft trips since there is no gale warning in Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, two crew members of Sea Prince 2, identified as Goiyon Noynoyan and Andrew de la Cruz, were rescued Monday after they went out fishing off Nauway Island, in Barangay San Isidro, Sibunag, Guimaras.
They encountered big waves and strong winds that caused their fishing boat to capsize.
The two were rescued when a fishing banca passed by and they were seen clinging to the outrigger of their boat. (PNA)
