TD Verbena halts classes, sea trips in Western Visayas

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Tropical Depression Verbena prompted widespread class and sea travel suspensions across Western Visayas on Monday, Nov. 25, after the region was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

More than 184,000 learners were affected after several local government units suspended in-person classes, according to a Department of Education Western Visayas summary report as of 12 p.m.

A total of 34 municipalities and cities declared suspensions, covering 1,062 public schools.

DepEd regional information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo that the number of affected schools does not necessarily mean all grade levels suspended classes.

“Some of the schools in the data declared suspensions for Kindergarten only, while others suspended all grade levels. Because there are no in-person classes, schools automatically shift to the Alternative Delivery Mode,” Escullar said.

Capiz logged the highest number of affected learners at 72,945 from 199 schools.

Iloilo province followed with 40,608 learners across 137 schools.

In Roxas City, 30,061 learners from 50 schools were affected.

Other divisions reported the following figures: Antique with 9,825 learners from 484 schools; Guimaras with 3,099 learners from 98 schools; Iloilo City with 7,546 learners from 48 schools; and Passi City with 20,044 learners from 46 schools.

Local governments ordered the suspensions as precautionary measures against flooding, strong winds and other hazards.

The Coast Guard District Western Visayas also ordered the temporary suspension of sea trips across all provinces.

According to a series of advisories, all inter-island and intra-regional voyages were halted until further notice due to strong winds and rough seas, with only vessels seeking temporary shelter allowed to move.

The Philippine Coast Guard likewise suspended all water sports and tourism-related sea activities, including island hopping and recreational boating, particularly in Boracay and other coastal areas.

Coastal communities and fisherfolk were strongly advised not to venture out to sea while the weather disturbance persists.

From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Coast Guard monitored 706 stranded passengers, drivers and helpers; 362 rolling cargoes; 8 stranded vessels; and 6 vessels taking shelter, affecting operations in 185 ports across the region.

The Department of Science and Technology–PAGASA said TCWS No. 1 may bring strong winds of 39–61 km/h within the next 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.

PAGASA reported that as of 2 p.m., TD Verbena was about to make landfall in Surigao del Sur and reminded the public that wind signals indicate the general threat of strong winds associated with the cyclone.

Localized winds may be stronger in coastal and elevated areas directly exposed to the prevailing wind direction, while inland locations shielded by terrain may experience weaker gusts.