Classes suspended yesterday

LEGAZPI CITY --- Classes in all levels in Albay and Camarines Sur were suspended yesterday, July 17, after moderate to heavy rains threaten to bring floods and landslide in these areas, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

In Albay, Gov. Al Francis Bichara said classes in all levels since Tuesday remained suspended in all public and private schools across the province.

He, however, said the suspension would be lifted once the weather condition normalizes.

In Camarines Sur, Gov. Migz Villafuerte also issued a directive to local disaster councils in the 35 towns and one city to suspend classes in all levels due to bad weather condition prevailing on Wednesday.

The suspension of classes was ordered as a precautionary disaster measure after the local weather bureau here announced that rainfall would remain active due to the effect of Tropical Depression Falcon that enhances South West Monsoon.

Claudio Yucot, OCD regional director, said local disaster council of Libon, Albay reported that knee to waist-deep floodings were observed in seven villages while a minor landslide was reported in Barangay Burabod on Tuesday.

In Legazpi City, ankle- to knee-deep flooding was also observed in the city streets.

Power outages were also reported in villages in Legazpi City.

Meanwhile, classes in all levels went on as usual as they went unsuspended in schools and colleges in Naga City yesterday.

Naga, an independent component city, is outside of the jurisdiction of the provincial government and hence may declare on its own whether classes are to be suspended or not in times of abnormal weather.

Weatherman Mike Padua said it was not necessary to suspend classes, particularly in Naga City, because there was no major rain event in the forecast, except for the windy and occasional showers due the monsoon rain.

There was also no major flooding or water overflow reported in the streets or along school premises in Naga City.