Classes remain suspended in Cebu

Students of schools   in Cebu province and Cebu City will enjoy  an extended weekend as slow exit of typhoon Ruby is expected to continue to bring in rains.

Gov. Hilario Davide III and several local chief executives made the announcement to suspend classes yesterday morning.

Separate announcements were issued yesterday by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. Delos Reyes.

Malacañang through the Official Gazette clarified the rules on storm-related class suspensions yesterday.

The cancellation of classes in public and private schools in Cebu province will remain in effect today as many schools were still being utilized as  evacuation centers, said Ethel Natera, the Cebu provincial government’s information officer.

Rama said extending the suspension of classes for another day will allow school administrators to clean up and prepare the classrooms for the resumption  of classes on Tuesday.

Rama said that he came with the decision to call off classes “after visiting the mountain barangays and seeing that there is still discomfort and the weather is not yet so good.”

To prepare for the resumption of classes tomorrow, Rama ordered all City Hall employees to report for work today. They will however, not be resuming their respective duties at City Hall, but will be tasked to help in cleaning up schools that were used as evacuation centers.

At the Capitol, Natera said that “The governor will have to assess today if there is still a need to further extend suspension of classes,” said Natera.

It is however unclear if classes in colleges and universities will push through today.

UP Cebu Dean Liza Corro, in a message posted online and shared by UP Cebu students, faculty and alumni, said “ (I) Am monitoring the weather and Pagasa announcements right now as well as LGUs’ announcements. I do not want us to make unnecessary class suspension for tomorrow. Will make the announcement within tonight. As of now, please presume we have work and classes tomorrow unless I declare it suspended.”

Executive Order

Malacañang, through the Official Gazette reiterated the rules on class suspensions as provided by Executive Order 66, Series of 2012. Under EO 66, pre-school classes are automatically suspended when signal no. 1 is declared in a locality. Classes from pre-school to secondary level are automatically suspended when an area is declared under signal no. 2. Classes in all levels, including tertiary and graduate school is automatically suspended when an area is under signal no. 3 or higher. In the absence of public storm warning, mayors and governors, can declare cancellation of classes, in their capacity of chairpersons of local disaster risk reduction and management councils, EO 66 provides.