A low pressure area (LPA) over the east of southern Mindanao will trigger rains to welcome students back to school during the opening day of classes for academic year 2024-2025, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
President Marcos said on Friday that public school administrators have the discretion to push through with the resumption of classes on Monday (July 29), if their school buildings are ready to accommodate students, following the recent flooding caused by Super Typhoon ‘Carina’ and Habagat.
“As much as possible, if the school buildings are in good shape for classes, they will hold them,” President Marcos said, acknowledging that some areas are experiencing difficulty to prepare for the opening of classes due to extensive repairs of damaged facilities, among other issues.
“There are only a few places with water left, but many have been left with mud, rendering them unusable,” he explained. “Additionally, there are damaged materials that we’ll have to replace.”
President Marcos emphasized that the decision to hold classes will be up to individual schools.
“So, yes, as much as possible. It’s up to the school to decide whether they can do it or not.,” he said, noting that some schools might be forced to conduct classes outside their buildings to ensure learning continues.
“Maybe some will be forced to hold classes outside the school building just to have classes. Let’s see. It’s like that. We’ve gotten used to it during the pandemic. We’ll find a way to still have classes,” he stated.
Weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda said the LPA is forecast to cause rainy weather conditions on Monday, July 29, in the eastern section of Southern Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and other parts of Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region and parts of Mindanao.
The LPA is expected to move closer to the eastern section of the country in the next few days. PAGASA, however, said there is only a slim chance that it could intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours.
The weather disturbance was monitored at 1,035 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao.
Earlier, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara announced that public schools affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina will delay the start of classes.
“Several schools will need to delay their openings due to extensive repairs and cleaning,” Angara said in a statement on Thursday. Schools that sustained only minor damage, however, will proceed with the opening of classes as scheduled.
Angara said they are still collating data on the number of schools that decided to postpone their opening of classes. So far, 400 schools committed to push through with the July 29 schedule.
Some local government units (LGUs) with affected public schools already announced new dates for the resumption of classes including: Malabon City (July 31), Valenzuela City (August 5), and Marikina City (August 5).
“Information is still coming in… People on the ground are verifying damages,” Angara was quoted saying in news reports. “It’s an evolving situation.”
