Heavy Enough

These are strange rains that we’re experiencing lately. I was going home from availing of a sale at a mall, buying for myself a couple of shirts that I could wear under a polo. Once again, I was seated backride behind the tricycle driver. (you might notice that I favor that spot. I don’t get cramped inside and it’s easier to hop on and off. Shortly after we turned right along zone 1 on Calauag, it poured so heavily all of a sudden that the bottom half of my shorts down to my legs was quickly soaking wet. So was the paper bag that I was holding, because I could not find a way to dodge it from the rapid rainstorm. I was already picturing in my mind that I would have to brave through this deluge to the nearest waiting shed once I reach my stop. But before the tricycle reaches that spot, the rains stopped as quickly as it started. That raging rain lasted for less than ten minutes. I hopped off with no showers at all threatening to soak me wet. I must have looked ridiculous with the lower half of my body dripping and the top half completely dry. Well, that was better than being drenched all over. What is it with the elements nowadays? We’re either sweltering or soaking.

With the resumption of classes in schools, one ultimate question will once again be settled, “Are classes suspended on days with heavy rains?”. “Under DepEd’s Department Order 37 dated Sept. 1, in-person and online classes in all levels are automatically cancelled in areas that PAGASA placed under TCWS 1, 2, 3 ,4 or 5.” “During heavy rainfall, classes in all levels are also “automatically cancelled”. ““In-person and online classes in all levels are automatically cancelled in schools situated in LGUs issued with Yellow, Orange and Red Rainfall Warning by the PAGASA,”.” “Classes in all levels are also “automatically cancelled in schools situated in LGUs issued with a Flood Warning by the PAGASA.” “Local chief executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes when there is bad weather or floods, which were not covered by any PAGASA warning or storm signal.”

Let me simplify, once PAGASA says it’s signal number 1, classes should be suspended from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in public and private schools. That pretty much should be clear. Even Grade 12 students would have no classes in the lowest typhoon signal; and that includes private schools. Gone should be the days that parents and kids watch for announcements and call radio stations, asking whether this or that school has classes. It should be automatically understood that when signal number 1 is declared, students don’t go to school anymore. It is provided that classes should be automatically cancelled in heavy rainfall. Now, here’s the tricky part. Parents and children, teachers, school heads, mayors and governors and their representatives seem to have different interpretations on what constitutes “heavy rainfall”. For some reason, what most students, parents and teachers consider as “heavy” does not seem to be “heavy enough” for some school heads, mayors and their representatives. In such cases, students have to wait until the rains become “heavy enough” for Ma’am Principal or the Mayor. By the time that they have transcended the plane of enlightenment that the rainfall is “heavy enough” and declare that the students can now go home, the rains would have become undeniably heavy that children would have to struggle through a deluge of downpour and rising floods trying to catch public transport in the hopes of getting home in the least dry state, and least likelihood of getting sick.

It is good that we have these rules that have become clearer yet become blurred for some decision makers. But while the order covers students up to Grade 12, how about college students? How about employees. They seem to be left at the mercies of authorities who have to meditate in lotus position to inquire of the spirits if the rainfall is heavy enough to close shop. When tropical cyclone warning signals are declared, rainfall becomes heavy, flood warnings are issued, are college students left to their own devices to brave the storm for the sake of education? Of course, police officers, fire officers, hospital nurses and the like stay on post even in the middle of strong typhoons. But what about office staff and store clerks in business establishments which may not anymore receive clients in the middle of heavy rains? When do they get to go home?

“There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” Isaiah 4:6