RELIEF GOODS. Noveleta, Cavite Mayor Dino Reyes Chua distributes rice packs to the flood-affected families in the town’s submerged villages on Tuesday (July 24). (Photo by Dennis Abrina)
NOVELETA, Cavite -- Classes in all levels in both public and private schools here were suspended Tuesday to give way to clearing and clean-up operations, in the aftermath of the flood that inundated villages and schools due to heavy rains spawned by the monsoon rains induced by tropical cyclones “Josie” and “Henry” during the past days.
Mayor Dino Reyes Chua said he suspended the classes to ensure that school children are spared by inconvenience of the messy environment -- dirt, mud and debris -- as a result of the flooding in the area for the past days.
Chua directed teachers, 16 village chiefs, Bureau of Fire Protection personnel and local police, Mayor's Action Team and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) to clean the schools and surroundings first from the mud and debris.
"Nakakaawa naman ang mga bata kung papapasukin natin na puro putik ang eskwelahan nila. Pagtulung-tulungan natin ito malinis para sa mas ligtas na pagbabalik paaralan nila (We pity the school children if they report for classes while their school premises are muddy and messy. Let us help to clean the schools to ensure the health and safety of the children before they report back,” Chua said.
The BFP personnel used their fire trucks and hoses to remove the dirt and mud from the classroom floors and premises.
Noveleta was among the most flood-affected Cavite towns due to heavy rains spawned by “habagat” or southwest monsoon.
LDRRMO said the run-off water from Cavite’s upland areas flowed towards the Ilang-ilang River, causing it to swell, and the river surge overflowed and triggered the flooding in the low-lying and flood-prone villages.
Cavite province is under a state of calamity after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity for the entire province.
Gov. Jesus Crispin Remulla and Chua led the distribution of relief food packs on Tuesday to the flood-affected families of Barangay San Jose 1, San Rafael IV and other flood victims. (Dennis Abrina/PNA)
