Suspension of classes and works due to natural calamities

By Dr. Rex Casiple

 

On October 26, 2020 after almost eight years typhoon “Quinta” was back lambasting the provinces in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas and Western Visayas. At least nine people were killed, six injured and two missing.

Northern Iloilo was placed under Typhoon Signal Number 1. Heavy rains pounded the City of Iloilo resulting in unexpected brownouts, internet interruptions or unbalance and stoppage of online classes in some schools, colleges and universities.

Heavy rains also hit the Province of Antique causing flash floods and landslides in some areas or towns of the province. It could be noted that on December 26, 2012, typhoon “Quinta” battered the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan leaving casualties, flood and landslides in the area.

On November 1, 2020 super typhoon Rolly, declared as the world’s strongest tropical cyclone for 2020, hit the country with at least 10 people killed; ripping off roofs, toppling power lines, causing floods, and triggered landslides that buried several houses. Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes.

Many students had been asking whether there will be a suspension of classes during these typhoon occurrences in this time of pandemic. Online classes were affected due to brown-outs, internet interruption and unstable internet. Hence, many students who failed to attend their online classes because of these were marked absent. No clear announcements from the school authorities whether classes were suspended or not. Some parents receiving modules of their children were stranded on the road including the innocent school children in the elementary and secondary schools.

In normal condition, the suspension of classes was made in compliance with Executive Order No. 66, re: “Prescribing Rules on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and work in the Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities”. According to this Order, when Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, classes in the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

When Signal No. 2 is raised, classes in the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

And when Signal No. 3 or higher is raised, classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

In the absence of typhoon signal warnings, localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices may be implemented by local chief executives, as chairmen of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) concerned, in coordination with PAGASA and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), specifically in flood-prone or high-risk areas. Announcements will be made through radio, television, landline communications and other means of communications within the community or locality not later than 4:30 am of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work, or not later than 11:00 am for suspension of classes or work in the afternoon session.

On the other hand, in the occurrence of other disasters or calamities, such as but not limited to floods, earthquakes, tsunami and conflagration, classes in all levels as well as work in the government offices may be cancelled upon the declaration by the President of a State of Calamity in areas affected based on the recommendation of the NDRRMC.

Issues were raised on why there was no timely declaration of “no classes” or “no work” in the typhoon-affected areas in the Region. There is a need, therefore, to review the applicability of the provisions of EO 66 and for possible amendments due to the new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred this year.