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[av_heading heading=’ Monsoon rains force suspension of classes ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Torrential rains and the resulting flashflood forced the city government to suspend classes in all levels in public and private schools yesterday.
The city and the rest of Western Visayas were not under any storm signal but Tropical Storm “Gorio”, though battering northern Luzon, enhanced the southwest monsoon.
Heavy rains inundated streets but flashfloods were not new to Iloilo City and these were constantly blamed on the clogged drainage system and the city’s low elevation.
In an executive order, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog also gave the managements of private businesses the discretion to decide whether to shorten or suspend their business hours or not.
He cited Section 16 and Section 455 (a) and (b) 1 (vii) of the Local Government Code of 1991 in ordering the cancellation of classes.
“The City Mayor as Chief Executive shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions as provided by this Code and other laws; for efficient, effective and economical governance the purpose of which is the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, the City Mayor shall carry out such emergency measures as may be necessary during and in the aftermath of man-made and national disasters and calamities,” read part of Executive Order No. 61, series of 2017.
On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Iloilo temporarily stopped the operation of motorboats plying the Iloilo-Guimaras route and vice versa several times yesterday.
PCG-Iloilo station commander Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica said there was no gale warning from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) but the suspension of the motorboats’ trips was necessary due to the heavy downpour.
“Para sa safety ini sang pasahero. Kay kon tugotan naton sila kag zero visibility, may tendency basi magbunggoanay mga motorboats,” explained Palabrica.
PCG-Iloilo initially halted the operation of motorboats at 8:30 a.m. Trips resumed at 9 a.m.
It issued another suspension order around 11:45 a.m. with trips resuming at 12:05 p.m., then another at 1:58 p.m. but allowed motorboats to operate by 2:17 p.m.
Big waves also forced motorboats docked at the Ortiz wharf to temporarily transfer to the new Parola wharf.
Pagasa said improving weather may prevail in the country beginning tomorrow when “Gorio” is to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
As “Gorio” moves away from the country, its influence on the southeast monsoon or habagat will lessen, said weather forecaster Lori dela Cruz.
A high-pressure area may begin prevailing anew next week, further raising prospects for better weather in the country, she added.
Pagasa forecast “Gorio” to be 220 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes this morning.
It will likely be 500 km north-northwest of Basco by tomorrow morning, already outside PAR./PN
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