DAVAO CITY - At least two municipalities in Davao de Oro announced the suspension of classes in all levels today, May 31, due to Tropical Storm (TS) "Dante."
In separate statements on Monday morning, the municipal governments of Compostela and Monkayo ordered the suspension of classes for both private and public schools.
In Compostela town, Mayor Lema Bolo declared class suspension in all educational institutions "effective today until lifted."
Meanwhile, Mayor Ramil Lao Gentugaya also ordered the suspension of classes and activated all Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC).
"The Public Schools District Supervisor, District Coordinating Principal, and all School Administrators are hereby advised to cause the widest dissemination of this directive. All BDRRMCs is hereby activated. Monkayoans are advised to heed official announcements and for those who are residing at the low-lying and landslide areas consider evacuating if necessary," the municipal government of Monkayo said.
Based on the weather bulletin of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued 5:00 am today, the center of TS Dante "was estimated based on all available data at 625 km East of Davao City (7.7°N, 131.5°E)."
PAGASA said TS Dante has a "maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center, gustiness up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa."
It added that Caraga, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains "due to the outer rainbands of "DANTE"."
"Under these conditions, isolated to scattered flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," it added.
In Mawab town, a landslide incident was also reported along Km 69 of the national highway in Barangay Tuboran. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) on Monday advised motorists that the landslide affected three of the six lanes of the national highway.
"All motorists are advised to drive slow as the said road is slippery. Expect a slow movement of traffic as the lanes both south and northbound are merged due to this landslide," it added.