MANY parents expressed dismay online over the late class suspensions on Monday, July 21. The torrential rains and subsequent flooding due to the low pressure area (LPA) and southwest monsoon made it difficult for students to come home.
To prevent students from being stranded or braving the rain and flood, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announce on Monday afternoon the class suspensions for Tuesday, July 22.
In a Facebook post, seemingly making a reference to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s way of announcing class suspensions in the province of Cavite when he was still the governor, the agency recognized their shortcomings.
“Mga Abangers, Lousy kami sa gobyerno kahapon. Dapat kagabi pa lang, inunahan na namin ang delubyo,” the post read.
The post further read that the announcement was made together with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and other members of the Cabinet.
This was also approved by the Malacañan, as confirmed by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez. He said to reporters that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. gave authorization to Interior Secretary Remulla to announce the class suspensions.
Classes on all levels, both public and private are suspended in the following areas:
- Metro Manila
- Zambales
- Bataan
- Pampanga
- Bulacan
- Cavite
- Batangas
- Rizal
- Pangasinan
- Tarlac
- Occidental Mindoro
DILG also warned residents living near mountains areas about the possibility of landslides, especially that rainfall is forseen to continue until Thursday.
As for employees in the private sectors, the agency said that the decision to suspend work still remains to the discretion of the company. While government work is suspended except for essential employees.
