ILOILO City – The threat of torrential rains and widespread flooding across Western Visayas forced the suspension of classes in 1,660 schools on Friday, disrupting the education of more than half a million learners, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office.
A total of 523,015 students in the region were affected after local chief executives ordered localized class suspensions due to weather disturbances brought by storms “Emong” and “Dante”, compounded by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
The shutdown comes even as Western Visayas was not included in the official suspension list issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The region was not in the direct paths of the storms.
Under DepEd Orders No. 27, s. 2022 and No. 009, s. 2024, local governments are authorized to suspend classes in times of disasters and extreme weather.
In Iloilo province alone, 773 schools closed, affecting 248,851 learners, while in Iloilo City, 75,010 learners from 66 schools were impacted.
In Antique, 130,879 learners in 538 schools were displaced.
Other affected provinces included Capiz (30,909 learners in 192 schools), Passi City (19,856 learners in 45 schools), Guimaras (13,967 learners in 35 schools), and Aklan (3,543 learners in 11 schools).
Most affected schools shifted to online or alternative delivery modes as a stopgap.
Iloilo City’s Mayor Raisa Treñas issued Executive Order No. 53, suspending all Friday classes and work in city government offices following recommendations from the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Essential agencies, however, continue operations.
“While the effects of the southwest monsoon enhanced by ‘Emong’ and ‘Dante’ have begun to normalize, we are still facing occasional rains, moderate to strong winds, and moderate to rough coastal conditions,” Treñas said. “Furthermore, 37 barangays remain flooded, and 30 evacuation centers are still operational.”
She added, “We cannot compromise the safety and wellbeing of our residents, particularly those severely affected by the flooding.”
In Iloilo province, local government units (LGUs) declaring full class suspension included Cabatuan, Barotac Nuevo, New Lucena, Pavia, Zarraga, Oton, Pototan, Tigbauan, Maasin, Leon, Ajuy, Igbaras, Leganes, Alimodian, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Badiangan, Janiuay, Lemery, San Miguel, Calinog, San Enrique, Lambunao, Dueñas, Mina, San Rafael, and Santa Barbara.
Iloilo National High School also suspended classes independently.
Meanwhile, in Antique, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) declared a state of calamity as floods, landslides, and storm damage affected 73,706 individuals across 242 barangays in 15 towns.
The Office of Civil Defense placed the province under yellow rainfall warning as of 8 a.m. on July 25, warning of possible flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous terrain.
Moderate to heavy rains were forecast to persist over several areas in Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan throughout the day.
The situation remained fluid as of this writing, with DepEd stating that the resumption or extension of class suspensions will depend on the ongoing assessments by local government units./PN
