‘Habagat’ forces class suspension in Iloilo City

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Face-to-face classes in all levels of public and private educational institutions in Iloilo City were suspended on Monday, July 17, due to inclement weather brought by southwest monsoon or “habagat” in a large part of Visayas.

Mayor Jerry Treñas announced Sunday evening that he approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) for the suspension of face-to-face classes.

But since most public schools had their graduation rites last week, only several schools were affected by the suspension.

Treñas also cancelled the holding of the flag-raising ceremony of City Hall employees, as well as the use of biometrics “in consideration of those employees affected by the flooding in different areas within the city.”

“As per the Emergency Operations Center, based on available data and observation, we will continue to experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms tomorrow (July 17),” he said noting the possibility of up to 35 percent chance of a 10 to 20-millimeter (mm) rainfall accumulation for tomorrow (July 18), and a 7 percent chance of rainfall above 25 mm.

As of 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, the Iloilo City Operations Center recorded a total of 20 flooded barangays in the metropolis.

Treñas also advised the Barangay DRRM Committees and the general public to be wary of the risks posed by continuous flooding in low-lying areas such as leptospirosis, acute gastro-enteritis, and contamination of deep wells among others.

As of 10 p.m. Sunday, Treñas said they have reached 374 affected families and 1,521 individuals.

“We are working tirelessly to support barangays impacted by Tropical Depression Dodong, helping those 7 completely damaged houses and 21 partially damaged houses,”‘he said.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 6, a total of 135 families or 575 persons were affected by inclement weather in the region.

Also, 80 families, or 351 persons were served inside 8 evacuation centers and 5 families, or 25 persons were served outside evacuations. All are from the province of Iloilo.

But Ma. Aletha Nogra, OCD-6 officer-in-charge, said the number could change as data are made available.

Relatedly, Jan Hermie Baron, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) 6 weather observer, said that Western Visayas will continue to experience rains brought by southwest until July 21.

He added that the southwest monsoon will bring rainfall and gusty winds every now and then until September.