By NELJOY GALIGAO AND MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The entire Western Visayas region, including Iloilo city and province, has suspended classes as a precautionary measure against Super Typhoon “Uwan”.
Malacañang, through Memorandum Circular No. 106 issued on November 9, ordered the suspension of classes in all levels across Western Visayas and nearby Negros Island Region from Monday, November 10, to Tuesday, November 11.
The directive follows recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) based on the expected severe impacts of the typhoon.
Local chief executives (LCEs) were also authorized to enforce localized class and work suspensions as necessary.
But even before the national announcement, the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) had already passed a resolution recommending the suspension of classes across the province to enable early preparations.
Officer-in-charge governor Lee Ann Debuque signed the resolution and underscored the province’s commitment to proactive disaster response.
“We are still recovering from Typhoon Tino, and we cannot take chances. Preparedness is our best defense,” Debuque emphasized.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) head Cornelio Salinas likewise stressed the need for stronger measures.
“We need to do aggressive measures to maintain our goal of zero casualty. This council recommends that we suspend classes and work given the circumstances cited by the MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) and PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminsitration),” he said.
Iloilo City under red alert
In Iloilo City, Mayor Raisa Treñas announced on Sunday that all face-to-face classes in public and private schools are suspended starting Monday, as the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) elevated its alert status from blue to red.
“Gin-raise naton halin sa blue alert pakadto sa red alert ang status sang Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center bilang preparasyon sa posible nga epekto sang Super Typhoon Uwan,” Treñas said. “Ang pagtaas sang alert level nagakahulugan nga fully activated na ang aton mga response teams kag tanan nga cluster sang CDRRMC para sa pag-monitor kag pagresponde sa bisan ano nga emerhensya.”
Treñas emphasized that the suspension aims to ensure the safety of students and residents.
Although Iloilo City remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, PAGASA warned that the super typhoon’s broad circulation could still bring moderate to heavy rains and strong gusts across the region.
Preparedness measures intensified
The city and provincial DRRM councils of Iloilo have been placed on full activation, with rescue, medical, logistics, and communications teams on standby. Barangay DRRM committees were also ordered to monitor flood-prone and coastal areas, while local governments were reminded to coordinate early evacuations in high-risk zones.
The Iloilo PDRRMC urged residents to remain alert and heed official advisories.
“Our commitment is to safeguard the lives and property of all Ilonggos,” the council’s resolution stated.
Treñas appealed for public cooperation amid the city’s heightened preparedness.
“Gina-remind naton ang tanan nga magpabilin nga alerto, mag-monitor sang official advisories, kag mag-cooperate sa mga awtoridad. Padayon kita magbinuligay agud maprotektahan ang kabuhi kag seguridad sang tanan nga Ilonggo,” she said.
As of 8 a.m. Sunday, PAGASA reported that Super Typhoon “Uwan” had maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts of up to 230 km/h, moving northwestward while threatening to enhance rains across the Visayas.
Authorities continue to monitor the system closely, warning that saturated soil and infrastructure damage from recent Typhoon “Tino” could worsen flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
“Padayon kita maghanda. Ang paghalong kag pagkabalo sa impormasyon amo ang pinaka-epektibo nga proteksyon naton,” Treñas said./PN
