The local governments of Muntinlupa, Pateros, and Taguig suspended classes in all levels in public and private schools today, Aug. 31, due to bad weather.
The suspension of classes was implemented after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued an orange rainfall warning due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by super typhoon “Goring.”
The advisory issued by the Muntinlupa City government on Aug. 31 (Photo from the Muntinlupa PIO)
The orange warning advisory was issued by PAGASA at 5:44 a.m. on Aug. 31 covering Metro Manila, Bataan, and Zambales (San Antonio, San Felipe, San Narciso, Castillejos, Subic, Olongapo, San Marcelino).
“Associated Hazard: flooding is threatening,” the PAGASA advisory read.
In a Facebook live broadcast, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon explained that “actually, automatic walang pasok kapag nag-orange alert (actually, automatic there are no classes if there is an orange alert).”
However, he said, PAGASA issued the orange rainfall warning nearly 6 a.m. when students were already in school.
Classes in Muntinlupa, Pateros and Taguig were suspended based on the Department of Education’s Order No. 37, issued in 2022, covering the “guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of natural disasters, power outages/power interruptions, and other calamities.”
The guidelines stated that “in-person, online and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) are automatically cancelled in schools situated in LGUs issued with Orange and Red Rainfall Warning by the PAGASA.”
“If the Warning is issued at a time when have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so. However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe,” it added.
DepEd added that “Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes if their LGU is issued a Yellow Rainfall Warning by PAGASA or in cases where there are torrential rains in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued an Alert by PAGASA.”