As Cebu faces another wave of bad weather, local government units have declared class suspensions across multiple cities and municipalities. This comes in response to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warning about heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon (habagat) and two low-pressure areas (LPAs) affecting the country.
Suspension of Classes in Cebu Amid Heavy Rains and Weather Alerts
Acting Cebu City Mayor, Hon. Atty. Raymond Alvin Garcia, announced on the morning of September 16, 2024, that face-to-face classes at all levels, both private and public, were suspended in Cebu City due to severe weather conditions. Initially, the suspension was only for elementary and secondary levels, but an updated declaration made at 8 AM on his official Facebook page extended the suspension to all levels, including tertiary education.
LIST: Class Suspensions Across Cebu
As of 8 AM today, the following cities and municipalities in Cebu have also suspended classes at all levels due to the expected heavy rains:
- Cebu City
- Mandaue City
- Lapu-Lapu City
- Asturias
- Balamban
- Consolacion
- Cordova
- Minglanilla
- Naga City
- Talisay City
- Toledo City
- Tuburan
In addition to the above, Sibonga and Talisay City have suspended classes up to the Senior High School level in public schools. Meanwhile, the towns of Liloan and Compostela have decided not to suspend classes, allowing regular school activities to proceed.
Other local government units such as Carcar, Samboan, and Santander also declared class suspensions for all levels within their respective jurisdictions.
ALSO READ: Helpful and Safety Tips on How to Get Ready for Severe Weather Condition
| City/Town | Level of Class Suspensions |
|---|---|
| Cebu City | All levels |
| Mandaue City | All levels |
| Lapu-Lapu City | All levels |
| Asturias | All levels |
| Balamban | All levels |
| Consolacion | All levels |
| Cordova | All levels |
| Minglanilla | All levels |
| Naga City | All levels |
| Talisay City | All levels (up to Senior High School for public schools) |
| Toledo City | All levels |
| Tuburan | All levels |
| Sibonga | Up to Senior High School (public schools only) |
| Liloan | No suspension |
| Compostela | No suspension |
| Carcar | All levels |
| Samboan | All levels |
| Santander | All levels |
Weather Update: Tropical Depressions and Southwest Monsoon
On Monday, PAGASA reported that at least three weather systems are currently influencing the country: two tropical depressions and the southwest monsoon (locally known as habagat). As of this morning, the low-pressure area (LPA) over the East Northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, or east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, has developed into a tropical depression named Gener.
Another tropical depression, Pulasan, is being closely monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Last spotted 2,215 kilometers southeast of Luzon, Pulasan is predicted to intensify the habagat, which will likely bring more rains to various regions.
In the Visayas, including Cebu, Western Visayas, and the Mimaropa region, residents should prepare for heavy rains. Other parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Northern Mindanao will also experience cloudy skies and intermittent showers.
Impact on Cebu
Cebu is expected to bear the brunt of these weather systems with heavy rainfall, posing risks of flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous regions. The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has been on high alert, advising residents to stay indoors and monitor local weather reports for further updates.
The class suspensions, while disruptive to regular school activities, are a necessary precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and school personnel. Local government units are expected to release further advisories throughout the day, especially if weather conditions worsen.
For parents and students, it is advised to stay connected through social media platforms and official channels of their respective local government units for real-time announcements regarding weather conditions and possible class resumption in the coming days.
ALSO READ: Safety measures in case your area will be hit by a typhoon
As Cebu grapples with challenging weather conditions brought about by the habagat and tropical depressions Gener and Pulasan, the safety of the public remains the top priority. With classes suspended across many parts of the province, it is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant, stay informed, and take necessary precautions. For real-time updates, residents are encouraged to follow PAGASA (PAGASA Visayas PRSD
on Facebook) and their local government units on social media.
Reference: SunStar Cebu
