QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The weather bureau PAGASA announced Tuesday, June 5, that the onset of the rainy season is fast approaching.
According to its forecast, the country will begin experiencing continuous rains next month while strong tropical storms are likely to make landfall towards the end of the year.
“Halos maghapong ulan ganoon po iyong characteristics ng monsoonal rains pero July to August po iyan,” explained PAGASA Weather Specialist Loriedin Dela Cruz.
The Department of Education (DepEd) already issued an advisory to all public schools across the country of what needs to be done during the rainy season or during floods.
“Itinataas at sine- secure nila ang mga aklat kapag alam nila na binabaha ang unang palapag ng kanilang gusali. Iaangat lahat ng mga gamit sa ikalawang palapag,” said DepEd Usec Tonisito Umali.
Based on DepEd’s guidelines, classes in pre-school and kindergarten in both public and private schools are automatically suspended at tropical cyclone warning signal number 1.
Classes from pre-school to high school are likewise suspended at tropical cyclone warning signal number 2; while all class levels are canceled at tropical cyclone warning signal number 3.
However, when there is no storm warning signal, the decision to cancel classes is left to the discretion of local government units.
The Quezon City government’s 24-hour Emergency Operation Center has always been active in monitoring the level of rainfall in the city during the rainy season. CCTV cameras are placed in strategic areas in the city that are flood prone.
According to the head of Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Council, Myke Marasigan, they are confident of the city’s drainage system although their areas of concern, for now, are the sites of MRT-7 constructions, especially the Commonwealth Avenue and Skyway 3 in G. Araneta which they believe will bring inconveniences to the public, especially to students.
“Kung mayroong threat then collectively, we recommend if there would be a suspension or not,” said Marasigan.
As always, PAGASA advised parents to equip students with appropriate rain gears, especially the small children. — Rey Pelayo
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