MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has denied that classes in elementary and high school levels in the country would again be suspended today due to inclement weather.
Schools in Quezon City are the only ones to be canceled due to President Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The DepEd yesterday posted the clarification on its Facebook page, after an AI-generated video circulated online spreading misinformation about the cancellation of classes.
The agency branded the AI-generated video as “fake news.”
“An AI video from an FB page regarding an alleged suspension of classes tomorrow, July 28, is fake news,” the DepEd said, reminding the public to be careful when receiving such information.
“They (public) should be critical against any form of misinformation,” it said.
The public should also only refer to the DepEd’s official social media accounts for announcements and information about basic education.
Quezon City earlier announced the suspension of all classes in public and private schools, as Marcos is expected to deliver his SONA at the Batasang Pambansa complex this afternoon.
DepEd clarified yesterday that elementary and high school face-to-face classes may resume today, provided that the buildings are not being used as evacuation centers (ECs) and the local governments have not suspended classes in their areas.
DepEd media officer Dennis Legaspi said as of 5 p.m. yesterday, out of the 794 schools used as ECs, 434 have already been decamped, while 360 remain open.
“Decamped” refers to school buildings that were previously used as ECs.
“Schools that have been vacated, have completed cleaning and clearing operations may resume their face-to-face classes as early as tomorrow, July 28, unless their respective local government units declare class suspensions due to other local conditions,” Legaspi said yesterday.
Luzon rains to persist
Two tropical cyclones outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) are still enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, bringing moderate to heavy rains to parts of Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
At 3 p.m. yesterday, Tropical Depression Co-may – formerly Emong – was located 1,020 kilometers northeast of extreme northern Luzon. It had maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center, and gusts of up to 70 kph, moving eastward at a speed of 25 kph.
According to PAGASA, Co-may is unlikely to re-enter PAR.
Also being monitored is Severe Tropical Storm Krosa, which was located 2,395 km east of extreme northern Luzon. It was moving east at 15 kph with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gusts of up to 135 kph.
While neither system is expected to make landfall or enter PAR, PAGASA said both weather disturbances are enhancing the southwest monsoon, which is currently affecting parts of Luzon and nearby provinces.
Monsoon rains are expected to persist in the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro, with rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy at times. Similar conditions are likely in the Cordillera Administrative Region, much of Central Luzon, as well as in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal and the rest of Mimaropa.
Flooding and landslides are possible in low-lying and mountainous areas.
Metro Manila may also experience heavy rain, thunderstorms and localized flooding, PAGASA said in its latest weather advisory issued at 5 p.m. yesterday.
Rainfall between 50 to 100 millimeters is expected in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, fair weather with chances of localized thunderstorms is forecast in the Cagayan Valley, Quezon province and the Bicol Region.
No gale warning was issued for any coastal area, but PAGASA warned of moderate to rough seas in northern Luzon. Small sea vessels are advised to remain cautious.
In the Visayas and Mindanao, generally fair weather is expected to continue, although isolated thunderstorms may develop in the afternoon or evening.
No significant weather systems are forecast to bring widespread or prolonged rainfall in these regions.
Forecast temperatures for Metro Manila are 25 to 31 degrees Celsius; in Baguio City, 16 to 22 degrees Celsius; Tuguegarao, 26 to 32 degrees; Legazpi, 25 to 32 degrees; Tagaytay, 23 to 28 degrees; Metro Cebu and Tacloban, 26 to 33 degrees; Iloilo City, 25 to 33 degrees; Cagayan de Oro, 25 to 34 degrees; Davao, 26 to 34 degrees; and Zamboanga, 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.
Deaths climb to 30
The number of reported deaths from the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and tropical storms Crising, Dante and Emong climbed to 30, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.
In its latest report, the NDRRMC said 13 of the 30 fatalities have been confirmed dead, while the 17 recorded in Region 6 (Western Visayas), Calabarzon, the Negros Island region, Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa and Region 11 (Davao region) are still undergoing verification.
The highest number of fatalities was reported in Metro Manila with nine deaths. Two deaths were recorded in Central Luzon, one in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) and another one in Caraga.
Six people remain missing.
According to the NDRRMC, a total of 1,628,867 families or 5,891,952 people residing in 6,053 barangays in 17 regions were affected.
The NDRRMC said 51,681 families are being aided in 1,689 evacuation centers.
Damage to agriculture is estimated at P484.4 million, while damage to infrastructure was placed at over P5 billion.
Families get aid
Some 110 families affected by persistent flooding in Bacolor, Pampanga have received essential relief aid from the national government.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally led the department’s distribution of food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, family clothing kits and ready-to-eat meals to affected families.
In addition, the provincial government, led by Gov. Lilia Pineda, also provided the evacuees with food and water.
The families from Bacolor are among the 615,000 families nationwide that have already been provided aid by the DSWD through food and emergency supplies.
Flooding in several areas of Central and Northern Luzon have forced thousands of residents into evacuation centers.
Pineda appealed to residents experiencing symptoms of illness amid the flooding to seek immediate medical help.
Pangasinan suspends classes, government work
In Pangasinan, some LGUs announced the suspension of classes in all levels of public and private schools, as well as work in government offices today, due to floods.
The LGU of Lingayen, through its social media page, yesterday announced the suspension of classes in all levels, as well as government offices due to floods surrounding several schools and affected villages. Frontline and essential offices remain open. Suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
The Basista and Alaminos LGUs also announced the suspension of classes and government offices today due to flooding and health concerns.
Meanwhile, Bani Vice Mayor Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto, on her FB account, said face-to-face classes in all levels in the town will be suspended from today to Friday to ensure the safety of students.
Alaminos City and Bani are located in the western part of the province, which was badly hit by Typhoon Emong late last week. — Pia Lee-Brago, Ric Sapnu, Cesar Ramirez