The Makati City government announced on Wednesday it has adopted protocols in connection with the suspension or cancellation of classes during heavy rains in the absence of a typhoon warning signal from the weather bureau.
The move, according to Mayor Abigail Binay, aims to spare Makati students from exposure to possible dangers posed by inclement weather.
Binay said the protocols, which the City Council approved through City Ordinance No. 2017-024, aimed to ensure that “timely and informed decisions” are made on whether to suspend or cancel classes in the city when the need arises.
“The protocols will allow us to make timely announcements when the situation calls for it in order to spare our students from being trapped in flash floods, among other risks posed by inclement weather,” she said.
Binay noted that classes are automatically suspended or canceled when the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issues typhoon warning signals, but in case of rains brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” it is the local chief executive who is tasked to initiate the suspension or cancellation of classes.
Under the ordinance, the city’s Emergency Operation Center or the Command Control and Communication Center based at the Makati City Hall should regularly monitor weather advisories from Pagasa, including rainfall and low pressure areas, usually issued at 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m.
Aside from Pagasa advisories, the EOC must also closely monitor regular updates of weather forecasts, and flood water levels in schools and barangays.
For rainfall, the EOC should monitor forecasts from Climate X website of the Department of Science and Technology, which provides area-specific forecast and four-hour rainfall projection.
For flood water level monitoring, the EOC should coordinate through radio or phone with their respective designated priority flood-prone barangays. These include Carmona, Olympia, Tejeros, Singkamas, La Paz, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio, Palanan, San Isidro, Pio del Pilar, Bangkal, Rizal, Comembo, and Guadalupe Viejo.
Subsequently, the EOC personnel on duty should submit a consolidated report to the city Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer. However, any critical observation made at any time during the monitoring must immediately be reported to the DRRM officer.
Crucial time of initial reporting to the city DRRM officer for the cancellation of the morning (AM) shift classes is at 1 a.m., and for afternoon (PM) shift classes, 6 a.m. For final reporting, crucial time is 4 a.m. for AM shift classes, and 10 a.m. for PM shift classes.
The weather information report will serve as basis for the DRRM officer to recommend to the mayor the cancellation or suspension of classes.
Classes may be cancelled or suspended when the amount of rainfall already reaches or exceeds 7.5 millimeters per hour (heavy to torrential rainfall), or when the water level in the area reaches 0.2 meters and below when flooding is already possible.
City Ordinance No. һ2017-024 was enacted by the Makati City Council last February adopting the protocols endorsed by the city DRRM Council through its Resolution No. 2016-09 Series of 2016. The protocols were developed by the Makati DRRMC in coordination with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and other concerned agencies.
Meanwhile, Section 2 of Executive Order (EO) No. 66, Series of 2012 issued by Malacañang provides that in the absence of typhoon signal warnings (signal nos. 1 to 3) from PAGASA, cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices may be implemented by local chief executives as chairmen of the local DRRMC concerned.
The EO also mandates that the announcement shall be made not later than 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work, or not later than 11 a.m. for afternoon classes and work. It shall be announced through diverse mass media, particularly radio and television, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locality.