Classes suspended in parts of the country amid rains, threat of super typhoon

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) — Some local government units (LGUs) around the country have announced class suspensions amid heavy rains and in anticipation of a super typhoon possibly entering the country.

Mawar may enter the Philippines' weather monitoring area Friday evening or Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

READ: Super Typhoon 'Mawar' slightly intensifies while moving westward

Visayas

Carcar City in Cebu suspended May 25 to 26 classes as a precautionary measure due to the possible entry of Mawar, currently a super typhoon still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The government of Talisay City, Cebu suspended face-to-face classes in public schools for May 26, Friday.

Talisay Mayor Samsam Gullas said distance learning would be implemented and that the Department of Education would distribute modules that students can work on at home.

Naga City, Cebu also suspended classes in all elementary and high school levels on May 26, based on its City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council's (CDRRMC) recommendation, according to Mayor Valdemar Chiong.

"Please inform all School Heads to be prepared for the possible use of their respective schools as temporary evacuation centers," Chiong said in an order to Cebu Schools Division.

There will also be no classes in all levels in both public and private schools from May 26 to 27 in Minglanilla, Cebu.

Mayor Rajiv Enad said this is part of the town's risk reduction efforts amid the threat of Mawar.

The municipality of San Fernando in Cebu also suspended afternoon classes for May 25 and May 26 "to avoid untoward incidents and road or flood related accidents to students," Mayor Mytha Canoy said.

The municipalities of Argao and Consolacion in Cebu suspended classes in all levels for May 26.

Mindanao

Kidapawan City in Cotabato suspended classes on Thursday, May 25, upon the recommendation of its CDRRMC.

In a social media post, Mayor Pao Evangelista cited “the possibility of moderate to heavy rains” and advised residents to be alert for potential flooding and landslides.

Several barangays in Valencia City, Bukidnon have likewise suspended Thursday classes in all levels due to continuous rainfall since Wednesday night.

The heavy downpour over the province since early this week has resulted in severe flooding.

Among the barangays that have announced class suspensions are Sinayawan, Dagat-Kidavao, Laligan, Sinabuagan, Lurugan, Mabuhay, Kahaponan, Laligan, Concepcion, Tongan-Tongan, Batangan, Catumbalon, and Bagontaas.

Cheryl Cuadra, officer-in-charge of PAGASA in Malaybalay City, explained that rains are expected to persist because of the southwesterly wind flow associated with the transition period of the southwest monsoon, locally known as "habagat." She also noted that the southwesterly wind flow will be further amplified by the presence of Mawar.

Luzon

Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro announced that classes in all levels in public and private schools would be suspended on May 26 and 27.

Teodoro added that National Service Training Programs and other school activities in Marikina scheduled for May 28 were likewise suspended.

The municipalities of San Mariano and Echague in Isabela; Macabebe, Pampanga; and Roxas, Palawan suspended classes in all levels for May 26, upon the recommendation of their municipal disaster risk reduction management councils (MDRRMCs).

Bukidnon-based Correspondent Melchor Velez contributed to this report.