ILOILO City — A total of 982,359 learners were affected as 2,253 public schools across Western Visayas suspended in-person classes yesterday, October 22, due to adverse weather conditions brought by Tropical Storm “Kristine” although it is not expected to directly hit the region.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the decision to suspend classes and shift to alternative instructional delivery modes was made at 2 p.m. on Tuesday following heavy rainfall in the region.
Packing 65 kph winds and gusts of up to 80 kph, “Kristine” is forecast to make a landfall in Luzon – over Isabela or northern Aurora provinces – tonight (Wednesday evening) or tomorrow morning (Thursday), according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“Kristine” is forecast to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall, it added.
The suspension-impacted schools and learners in Western Visayas are as follows, broken down by Schools Division Office (SDO):
* SDO Cadiz City – 81 schools, 41,697 learners
* SDO Capiz – 447 schools, 116,009 learners
* SDO Escalante City – 48 schools, 26,287 learners
* SDO Negros Occidental – 293 schools, 154,653 learners
* SDO Bacolod City – 70 schools, 112,321 learners
* SDO Iloilo – 419 schools, 151,891 learners
* SDO Silay City – 39 schools, 32,295 learners
* SDO Kabankalan City – 119 schools, 56,474 learners
* SDO San Carlos City – 27 schools, 9,230 learners
* SDO Antique – 512 schools, 132,339 learners
* SDO Himamaylan City – 56 schools, 27,520 learners
* SDO Roxas City – 50 schools, 37,436 learners
* SDO Iloilo City – 66 schools, 77,656 learners
* SDO Aklan – 26 schools, 6,551 learners
DepEd-6 regional information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. reported that local chief executives of concerned local government units (LGUs) declared the class suspensions after their jurisdictions experienced significant rainfall on the morning of October 22 due to Tropical Storm “Kristine”.
Regarding the selection of alternative learning modalities to help students catch up on lessons, Escullar noted that the choice largely depends on the school principals in coordination with the SDOs. However, providing modules for home study remains the most common approach adopted.
Escullar urged school principals to coordinate or consult with the SDOs to determine the most appropriate learning modality for their students during this interruption.
PAGASA warned that northeasterly windflow will bring strong to gale-force gusts due to “Kristine”.
It also hoisted a gale warning over the eastern seaboard of Luzon, the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Visayas.
PAGASA said sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside./PN
