CEBU CITY – Classes were suspended in several towns and cities in Cebu due to incessant rains from tropical depression “Paeng” on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Suspension of classes on all levels was declared in the towns of Minglanilla, Compostela, Liloan, and Asturias and Talisay City.
There was no declaration of suspension of classes here as Mayor Michael Rama left the decision to the discretion of school administration.
The inclement weather also led to cancellation of several flights at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, cancelled flights include DG6851 Cebu-Siargao, DG6852 Siargao-Cebu, DG 6895 Cebu-Surigao, DG 6896 Surigao-Cebu, DG6546 Cebu-Calbayog, DG 6547 Calbayog-Cebu, PR1847 Cebu-Manila, and PR1848 Manila-Cebu.
Despite the bad weather, efforts to remove the ill-fated Korean Air plane at the runway of MCIA continued, said Nagiel Banacia, chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The aircraft overshot the runway during landing attempt on Sunday that caused temporary closures of the facility’s runway for one day.
While the aircraft was still stuck at Runway 4, operations at the airport resumed on Tuesday by shortening the runway from 3.3 kilometers (kms) to 2.7 kms.
The runway is only open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for at least two weeks as the airport cannot accommodate evening flights while approach lights are still being repaired.
The non-stop rain also caused flooding in some areas in Cebu.
The First Mactan-Cebu Bridge was close to traffic due to heavy flooding at the bridge approach in Mandaue City.
Motorists had to take alternate routes such as the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.
As of posting time, the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas (PCG 7) had yet to suspend sea trips to and from Cebu.
“Coast Guard substations all over Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental and the province of Cebu are continuously monitoring the status of our weather. If, in any case, cancellation of our trips will be announced, we will inform the public,” said Coast Guard Ensign Jordz Emata, information officer of PCG 7.