The Metro Manila Council is looking at the possibility of passing to another agency the authority of local chief executives to suspend work and classes in times of bad weather.
In their position paper, the city administrators are contemplating on forming a lead agency composed of the Department of Education, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Metro Manila Development, that shall decide on declaration of class suspensions.
“Gusto natin magkaroon ngayon ng iisang tinig para sa kalakhang Maynila pagdating sa suspensyon ng klase, nang sa ganun ay maayos ang magiging batayan at desisyon ng punong lungsod,” Quezon City Administrator Aldrin Cuña said.
Local officials are often bashed on social media over late announcements during inclement weather.
“Ang iniiwasan lang ng mga mayor ngayon ay yung sinisisi sila dahil pag nag deklara ng suspensyon ng klase biglang umaaraw tapos pag nagdedeklara ng suspensyon ng klase ng maaga o huli. Hindi na nila alam kung ano yung tama at maling gagawin sa suspensyon bagamat hindi natin kontrolado ang klima at panahon,” Cuña said.
But the council clarified that the jurisdiction in suspending classes will not be totally removed from them as they may still override the decision of the lead agency depending on the situation in their respective areas.
LGUs will also provide important information to the selected agency to help in making quick and sound decision.
“Ang tao kasi namin nasa national road lang eh so usually pag bumaha mga inner roads ng barangay hindi namin namomonitor. Ang nakakamonitor talaga nyan mga LGU, so pag-aaralan natin,” MMDA General Manager, Jojo Garcia said.
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