No automatic class suspensions in Iloilo City after quakes – mayor

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Suspension of face-to-face classes in Iloilo City due to earthquakes will not be automatic and will depend entirely on the condition of individual schools, Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said Monday, Oct. 13.

Treñas-Chu said the policy is part of a memorandum on earthquake preparedness and safety protocols for city government employees and schools.

The guidelines were crafted in consultation with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Department of Education.

“We cannot impose a blanket suspension just because one school has cracks and cancel classes for everyone […] We also cannot suspend classes after every aftershock. What will happen to our students?” she said.

Under the agreed protocol, class suspension from Intensity III to Intensity VI earthquakes will be implemented on a school-to-school basis.

Each school must first assess possible damage before deciding, according to Treñas-Chu.

She said that schools must inspect classrooms for cracks and other hazards before making a recommendation.

After inspection, the Schools Division Office will coordinate with the city’s Operations Center, and if structural damage is suspected the Office of the Building Official and the City Engineer’s Office will conduct further evaluation.

Meanwhile, automatic cancellation of classes will take effect if the earthquakes reach Intensity V to VI.

An Intensity III earthquake is weak and mostly felt indoors with light vibrations and no damage, while Intensity IV is moderately strong, felt by many people, causing rattling sounds but still no damage.

Intensity V is strong enough to alarm people, move small objects, and cause minor damage to weak structures, while Intensity VI is stronger, making it hard to stand, moving heavy furniture, and causing damage to poorly built buildings.

Treñas-Chu said part of the updated earthquake protocol is the enforcement of regular earthquake drills to strengthen preparedness.

According to Department of Education orders, earthquake drills are mandated to be conducted more than once a month in certain settings.

Specifically, public schools are required to conduct unannounced earthquake and fire drills twice every month or every first and third week of the month.

The mayor added that based on their assessment, many people still do not know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.