Classes suspended, flights cancelled as Lawin nears

MANILA, Philippines – Classes at all levels are suspended in Northern Luzon and several areas in Metro Manila today as Super Typhoon Lawin barrels across the country.

Flights of local airlines were cancelled and some businesses in the storm’s path were temporarily closed. As early as yesterday morning, classes in Northern Luzon were suspended.

Last night officials announced the suspension of classes today in Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Dagupan City Vice Mayor Brian Lim, acting in the place of Mayor Belen Fernandez who is on official business in the US, issued an executive order saying the early class suspension was “a pre-emptive action on the part of the city government to prevent potential loss of life, limb, and property.”

Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in his home province until Friday, as the community braces for Lawin’s expected passing through.

In Baguio City, mall giant SM ceased operation starting 4 p.m. yesterday.

At the height of recent typhoon Karen, the six-story SM mall in Baguio City was drenched in rainwater and most of the shops forced to close as strong winds blew off the building’s canopy.

Classes in all levels (public and private) are suspended today in Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Batangas, Benguet, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Laguna, Lubao, Pampanga, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, San Fernando City in La Union, Tarlac, and Zambales.

In Metro Manila, class suspensions announced for all levels as of press time were: Quezon City, Makati and Parañaque.

Local airlines also cancelled flights ahead of the anticipated super howler.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific cancelled eight domestic flights for Wednesday.

These were: PAL’S PR 2014/2015 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila; and Cebu Pacific’s 5J 504/505 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila, 5J 971/970 Manila-Davao-Manila, and 5J 647/648 Manila-Puerto-Princesa-Manila.

For today, PAL cancelled flights PR2014 Manila-Tuguegarao, PR2015 Tuguegarao-Manila, PR2084 Manila-Basco, PR2085 Basco-Manila, PR2196 Manila-Laoag, and PR2197 Laoag-Manila.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said affected passengers may rebook within 30 days from original flight date or within ticket validity period by calling PAL’s hotline 855-888 or logging on to its website. – Artemio Dumlao, Eva Visperas, Rudy Santos, Jun Elias, Janvic Mateo, Cesar Ramirez