Classes suspended as Northern Mindanao braces for 'Ompong'

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--Several areas in Northern Mindanao have already suspended classes, as local officials closely monitor the movement of supertyphoon "Ompong."

In Ozamiz City, Acting Mayor Irene Luansing has suspended classes in both public and private schools, except in the tertiary level, effective September 14.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental canceled classes in daycare and elementary levels in its five municipalities as of 1 p.m. Thursday, September 13. These municipalities include Lagonglong, Salay, Binoangan, Jasaan, and Initao.

“These areas experienced intermittent but heavy rains,” said Fernando Vicente Dy, director of Misamis Oriental's Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Dy said they have not yet monitored any damage in the whole province, and that disaster management officials will continue to monitor Ompong's entry into the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday

Ompong has grown in diameter from 600 kilometers on Tuesday to 900 km the following day, prompting more areas to take precautionary measures.

Dy said Misamis Oriental’s disaster management office has already activated its quick response team for quick deployment. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development have also readied its emergency packs in case of mandatory evacuation.

In Iligan City, Mayor Celso Regencia declared the whole city on Thursday under "alert and monitoring status" and directed all barangays to conduct preparation measures, implement constant monitoring and issue corresponding safety alerts.

Regencia said he issued the directive for precautionary purposes, acknowledging that the city is not yet included in the areas, where typhoon signal is being raised by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Association (PAGASA).

“Extra measures are recommended for barangays along rivers, along the coastlines and those in the low-lying areas,” Regencia said.

He also directed all Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs) and the Barangay Disaster Operation Centers (BDOCs) in the city to be activated.

“All constituents of the city are directed to regularly monitor advisories and updates from the city mayor’s office through Iligan City Radio Stations, Emergency Communication Center and the Internet. The people are also advised to take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with these hazards which include flash floods and landslides,” Regencia said in his directive.

In Cagayan de Oro City, eight schools have already suspended their classes from elementary to high school.

These are Balubal Elementary and High Schools, Cugman Elementary and High Schools, Malasag Elementary School, Canitoan National High School, Lapasan National High School, Cagayan de Oro National High School, Carmen National High School, and Patag National High School.

PAGASA Administrator Vicente Molano said it was still possible for Ompong to reach the super typhoon category. (PNA)