Classes, sea trips suspended due to inclement weather

CEBU, Philippines — At least 18 local government units (LGU) in Cebu have implemented class cancellations yesterday due to the inclement weather experienced in Cebu and other parts of Visayas.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), based on the consolidated list, said the LGUs that suspended their classes yesterday include the cities of Talisay and Naga, as well as the towns of Argao, Barili, Alegria, Asturias, Minglanilla, Cordova, San Fernando, Sibonga, Compostela, Aloguinsan, Sogod, Santander, Samboan, Consolacion, Ginatilan and Sta Fe.

As of this writing, the City of Naga also announced that suspension of classes from kinder to senior high school, including the alternative learning system, in both private and public schools will continue today.

“Discretion usab sa mga school administrators sa mga colleges sa Naga ang pagsuspenso sa ilang klase apan giawhag nga hatagan og consideration ang safety ug welfare sa mga estudyante kung adunay heavy rainfall advisory gikan sa PAG-ASA ug NDRRM,” read the advisory of the City of Naga.

Aside from the cancellation of classes, trips of small vessels in Cebu and neighboring provinces were also suspended yesterday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), through its substations, has issued a “notice to mariners” to their respective area of jurisdiction about the temporary suspension of the voyages of vessels/watercrafts with 250 gross tonnage and below.

The PCG stations in Camotes, Negros Oriental, Northern Cebu, Southern Cebu and Eastern Bohol had sent out these notices after PAG-ASA has issued a gale warning yesterday with the northeast monsoon hoisted in Cebu and other areas in the region.

Lifting the suspension of trips will be made once the weather condition improves.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, PAG-ASA has issued heavy rainfall warning in Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Danao City, Carmen, Catmon, Minglanilla, Naga City, San Fernando, Carcar City, Sibonga, Argao, Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Toledo City, Balamban, Asturias, Tuburan, Barili, Ronda, Dumanjug and Alcantara, which are all under the yellow warning level.

This means that about 37,500 to 75,000 drums per square kilometer of rain will be experienced in these areas, where possible flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas will be experienced.

This is because of the shear line experienced in Cebu yesterday. —/GAN (FREEMAN)