Urduja threat; Classes in EV schools suspended

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines —  Classes in all levels in public and private schools in the provinces of Biliran, Northern Samar, and some parts of Leyte and Eastern Samar were suspended yesterday when heavy rains, caused by a threatening typhoon Urduja, continued to struck the Eastern Visayas region.

Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez was the first to order the suspension of classes because of the continued downpour, with some areas in the city already flooded yesterday.

Governor Jose Ong of Northern Samar was the second local chief executive in the region to order the suspension of classes, followed by those in Biliran and Eastern Samar provinces.

According Ong, food packs and the preparation for the evacuation center were already set by the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council, while residents from the low lying areas were already alerted and advised to immediately evacuate to safer places.

Classes were also suspended in the towns of Babatngon, Tanauan and Tolosa — all in Leyte — after their respective mayors.

All six PRRMCs in Eastern Visayas, including those in Ormoc City and Tacloban, are monitoring and fielding their men to ensure safety of their constituents.

Meanwhile, a landslide had blocked the entire section of a highway along Barangay Paya in Giporlos town in Eastern Samar, stranding many vehicles early morning yesterday.  (FREEMAN)