Educ officials suspend afternoon classes in Metro Manila

UPDATED 11:30 a.m. — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday suspended afternoon classes in the preschool, elementary and high school levels in public and private schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) because of super typhoon "Juan" (international name: Megi). Julito Vitriolo, executive director of the Commission on Higher Education, also said classes in the tertiary level would likewise be suspended in the following:

Metro Manila;

Rizal;

Bulacan;

Cavite, and

Laguna. "Based on the recommendations ng NDRMMC na wala nang pasok, wala na rin pasok sa college [level]," he told GMANews.TV in a text message. DepEd Metro Manila officer-in-charge Elena Ruiz said this stemmed from the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. She said those with inquiries may call: 0917 842 5930, or 0918 979 0805. "By recommendation of the NDRMMC, ang DepEd NCR ay nag-a-announce ng suspension of classes by noontime today Oct. 19 in preschool, elementary and high school levels for public and private schools," she said in an interview on dzBB radio. (By recommendation of the NDRMMC, the DepEd NCR has announced the suspension of classes by noontime in preschool, elementary and high school levels in private and public schools)
Strong winds, heavy rains Earlier, the NDRMMC recommended the suspension of classes in Metro Manila and Rizal province due to strong winds and heavy rains from typhoon “Juan" (Megi). Radio dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported that NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos made the recommendation to Malacañang on Tuesday morning. Ramos said the areas where they recommended the suspension of classes were those that will be affected by the typhoon as it heads toward the South China Sea. "Ito kasi ang apektado ng 300-kilometer radius. Miski nandoon sa South China Sea [si Juan], apektado tayo sa 300 km radius," he said. "Kaya hanggang gabi tuluy-tuloy ang pagabaha sa Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, at Laguna (Until evening there will be flooding in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, and Laguna)," Ramos added. The report quoted Ramos as saying it would be better to suspend classes and be “wrong" if the weather improves, if only to achieve “zero casualty." "Juan" may not exit until Wednesday or Thursday Super typhoon "Juan" (international name: Megi) moved toward the South China Sea on Tuesday but not before bringing rains to Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Metro Manila and Central Luzon can expect rains from "Juan" for Tuesday. "Yung circulation ng bagyong 'Juan' may kalakihan, kaya kahit papaalis si 'Juan,' ang pinakabuntot niya kasama ang Metro Manila, halos umabot pa ... Asahan natin ang kalakhang Manila makakaranas ng pag-ulan at bugso ng hangin," PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. (The circulation of 'Juan' is rather wide. Its tail end is affecting Metro Manila, so we can expect more rains and winds.) Javier said their projections indicate that "Juan" may not exit Philippine territory until at least Wednesday night or Thursday morning. "Ang projected na labas niya siguro mga bukas ng gabi o Huwebes ng umaga (The projected exit of 'Juan' is Wednesday night or Thursday morning)," he said. DepEd added that classes may be suspended in other provinces with public storm signals, depending on the decision of the local government and local DepEd superintendent. –with Candice Montenegro, Mark Merueñas, VVP, GMANews.TV