Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian announced on Sunday, Sept. 25, that the city council has passed an ordinance that automatically suspends classes in all schools once the city is placed under tropical cyclone warning signals (TCWS) during typhoons to ensure the safety of students and residents.
“Dati-rati po tatanungin niyo po ang mga mayor, o magtatanong kayo sa kapitan or sa ating mga principals kung may pasok ba o hindi. Naiintindihan ko ho ang perwisyo na nadadala ho ito lalo na ho sa ating mga magulang ( Before, you would ask the mayors, barangay chairman or our principals if there are classes. I understand the inconvenience it brings especially to our parents),” he said in a video posted in the city’s Facebook page.
He said that under the ordinance, which will be enacted on Monday, Sept. 26, classes in all levels in both public private schools, including universities and specialty institutions like special education (SPED), are automatically suspended once Valenzuela City is under any typhoon signals or rainfall warnings.
“Ito pong ordinansa natin ay tinatawag nating ‘Automatic Class Suspension’ kung saan po makakatulong po in advance sa lahat ng ating mga magulang, pati na rin po ang mga guro natin na dati-rating naghihintay pa ng anunsiyo. Ngayon po ay hindi na natin kailangan maghintay, automatic na po ito (Our ordinance is called 'Automatic Class Suspension' which will help in advance all our parents, as well as our teachers who were previously waiting for an announcement. Now we don't have to wait, it is automatic),” he added.
On Sunday, Gatchalian held a meeting with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) for their preparations for the super typhoon ‘Karding.’
Different precautionary measures for the safety of the city residents such as pre-emptive evacuations of families in low-lying and flood prone areas, and preparation of evacuation centers and relief goods for the residents were conducted by the local government.
The city government also prepared for deployment its “Libreng Sakay” trucks, while community billboards and tents were dismantled.
Gatchalian earlier announced the suspension of classes in all levels in both public and private schools in the city, and work in local government offices on Monday, Sept. 26.
He said that departments and units involved in disaster response and rescue should remain operational.
As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed six cities in Metro Manila - Marikina, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, and Quezon City - under TCWS No. 4 due to the super typhoon ‘Karding.’