Classes to secondary level canceled due to storm Isang

MANILA, Philippines - Continuous heavy rains in the last two days spawned by tropical storm "Isang" and resultant flooding in Metro Manila prompted the suspension of classes, work in state offices and cancellation of some domestic flights Friday. Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus went on radio before 4 a.m. Friday to announce the suspension of classes at the preschool, elementary and high school levels in Metro Manila. He also reminded school administrators outside Metro Manila to follow guidelines on class suspension. "Lahat ng preschool, elementary at saka high school sa mga publiko at pribadong paaralan suspended ang klase ngayong araw na ito sa NCR [All preschool, elementary and high school classes in Metro Manila are suspended today]," Lapus said on dzBB radio. Hours later, Malacañang also announced the suspension of work in government offices in Metro Manila. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) had recommended the suspension of work in government offices due to the heavy downpour. "Sinususpinde natin ang trabaho sa government employees sa araw na ito dahil sa recommendation ng OCD at National Disaster Coordinating Council [We are suspending work in government offices on the recommendation of the OCD and the NDCC]," Remonde said in an interview on dzXL radio. He said the Palace will let local government units affected by the storm decide whether to suspend work in their respective areas. On Thursday, the DepEd was criticized for suspending classes late in the day, when students were already in school. DepEd guidelines say that when Storm Signal No. 1 is raised, classes are automatically suspended at the preschool level in all public and private schools. Under Storm Signal No. 2, classes are automatically suspended in all public and private schools at the preschool, elementary and high school levels. Class at the college level are automatically suspended when Storm Signal No. 3 is declared. Colleges, universities As no storm signal was hoisted over Metro Manila, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said it was leaving to authorities of colleges and universities whether to suspend classes or not. Radio reports said those that declared class suspensions were Philippine Christian University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University, all in Manila. "Dito sa area namin kasi pag umulan nagkakabuhol-buhol ang traffic at bumabaha sa Anonas Street. Gusto namin pangalagaan ang estudyante namin [Our area is flood-prone and traffic builds up when it rains. We want to protect our students]," PUP president Dante Guevarra said in an interview on dzXL radio, in explaining the suspension of classes for the day. In a telephone call to GMANews.TV, Reinerio Quinto, school registrar of the Central Colleges of the Philippines along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, said they were also suspending classes. "We know that roads to our school are flooded or would be flooded, so our school president decided to call off classes for today," Quinto said. Suspended flights Also, inclement weather forced officials of a local airline company to suspend all flights between Manila and all destinations in northern Luzon. Radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported that Cebu Pacific canceled flights 5J-196 (Manila to Cauayan town in Isabela) and the return flight 5J-197. The Manila-to-Cauayan flight was scheduled 9:50 a.m., while the Cauayan-to-Manila flight was scheduled 11:10 a.m. There were no similar announcements from other airline companies. Early on Friday, Malabon City announced the suspension of classes in preschool, elementary and high school due to floods. Radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported the Malabon City government cited floods since Thursday as its reason for suspending classes for Friday. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said that as of 6 p.m. Thursday, some areas in Parañaque and Manila experienced flooding, with the water level ranging from gutter-deep to knee level. It said flooding at the Parañaque East Service Road was knee-deep, and not passable for light vehicles. Storm 'Isang' Weather forecasters said "Isang" is still threatening northern Luzon. Nine areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 2 while nine others were placed under Signal No. 1. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned residents in areas under storm signals against flash floods and landslides. "Extreme northern Luzon will have stormy weather with rough to high seas. The rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will experience occasional to frequent rains and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. The rest of the country will be mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms," Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Group, Calayan Group, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, and Ilocos Norte. Under Storm Signal No. 1 are Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, Pangasinan, La Union, and Ilocos Sur. Pagasa said that as of 4 a.m., "Isang" was 150 km east southeast of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 15 kph and is expected to be 185 km north of Laoag City or at 140 km west southwest of Basco, Batanes Saturday morning. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 460 km northwest of Laoag City or at 460 km west northwest of Basco, Batanes. - GMANews.TV