ILOILO City – Schools across Western Visayas (Region 6) are being urged to heighten preparedness as a low-pressure area (LPA), shear line, and the northeast monsoon continue to affect weather conditions nationwide, bringing rains that could trigger flooding and rain-induced landslides in parts of the region. This is based on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) disaster-preparedness bulletin released at noon on November 23.
While Eastern Visayas and parts of Mindanao have the highest number of exposed schools, the hazard maps show that Region 6 remains vulnerable, with scattered areas flagged for moderate to high susceptibility to both flooding and landslides — particularly in portions of Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and Negros Occidental.
The rainfall outlook for November 23–24 indicates expected rainfall of 50–100 mm, which could elevate risks in low-lying and upland schools.
DepEd’s monitoring notes that rain clusters linked to the LPA are stretching across Visayas and Northern Mindanao, with spillover rains affecting Western Visayas communities.
Although Region 6 does not top the national list, the agency emphasized that localized flooding, swollen waterways, and landslide-prone slopes in the region may still pose threats to learners and school facilities as the weather system persists.
DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service urged school division offices in Region 6 to maintain close coordination with local government units and disaster-risk councils, activate School DRRM (disaster risk reduction management) teams, secure learning materials and equipment, and review contingency plans for possible class disruptions.
Pre-positioning emergency supplies and ensuring timely reporting through the Incident Management Reporting System were also emphasized.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to safeguard learners and personnel, noting that Western Visayas schools should remain vigilant as intermittent rains may continue in the coming days due to the combined effects of the LPA, shear line, and monsoon./PN
