Face-to-face classes from pre-school to primary level were suspended in the entire province of Cagayan on Monday, August 22, the first day of classes, due to heavy rains brought by tropical storm “Florita,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
In Alcala and Baggao, Cagayan, the NDRRMC said classes from pre-school to secondary level were suspended.
Photos shared by the Cagayan Provincial Information Office (PIO) on Facebook showed that floodwaters have entered several classrooms at the Libertad National High School in Abulug, Cagayan during the opening of classes.
Florita has intensified into a tropical storm while moving west southwestward over the Philippine Sea.
Typhoon Signal No. 2 was raised in the eastern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Penablanca, Iguig, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey, and Santa Ana); as well as in the eastern and central portions of Isabela (Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Quirino, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, Alicia, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, and Dinapigue).
Signal No. 2 was also hoisted over the extreme portion of Aurora (Dilasag and Casiguran); and northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela).
Meanwhile, the rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, northern and central portions of Aurora, (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis), and northern portion of Polillo Island (Panulukan and Burdeos) were placed under Signal No. 1 category.
The NDRRMC reminded affected regions in Northern Luzon to be vigilant from possible flooding, landslides, and strong winds brought by Florita.
“The NDRRMC and regional DRRM Councils are prepared along with other government agencies to respond to any eventuality. We remind the public to keep safe, monitor weather reports, and listen to the instruction of authorities if there is a need for evacuation,” the Council said.