Following confusion in the past which caught students and school personnel flat-footed, the Navotas City government has come up with clear-cut measures with Mayor John Rey Tiangco who will order the cancellation of classes during bad weather condition.
Tiangco, the Tribune was told, called a meeting recently with concerned city and local school officials held at the City Hall Complex where they formulated policies and protocols which they will implement to put things in proper perspective.
He said the school principals and barangay captains shall coordinate with each other as early as 10 p.m. immediately after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announces a possible bad weather condition.
At the same time, Tiangco said they will conduct monitoring around 2 to 3 a.m. as advised by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and forward their assessment to him and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (LDRRMO) for verification before 4 a.m.
With the mayor who will issue the order of cancellation of classes in particular places or barangays, the school heads and village chairmen have been authorized to make the announcement to the affected areas.
The announcement shall be made by any means of communication available like through text blast system and media, among other things, according to the mayor.
He then reminded the village officials if they will use a public address system, they must be specific in which school they are referring to as to avoid confusion.
“This is appropriate when the reason for the cancellation of class is due to flooding which may only occur in a few areas in the city,” the mayor said.
The city chief executive told members of the Camanava Press Corps that the village chiefs can also recommend a cancellation of class when roads leading to the school are not passable due to various situations such as high tide or transport strike.
“In case, they (school head and village chairman) are both not in the areas of their jurisdiction, they shall assign a person who will coordinate with the Office of the Mayor during these times,” Tiangco said.
The city’s public information office said the mayor can announce the cancellation of classes as early as 10 p.m. or before 4 a.m.
“In case the bad weather comes around 7 to 8 a.m. or when the students are already in their schools, the school principal shall not allow them to go home for safety concerns,” Tiangco said.
Several government officials, including DILG-NCR assistant regional director for North Supra Juan Jovian Ingeniero were present during the meeting. Also present at the meeting were the members of the city’s 14 Barangay Council, LDRRMO and public school principals.