CamNorte suspends Friday classes as country braces for ‘Ompong’

LEGAZPI CITY — Camarines Norte Governor Jonah Pimentel has suspended classes in all levels on Friday due to “possible heavy rains and flooding” that Typhoon “Ompong” (international name: Mangkhut) may bring to the province.

In his Executive Order 2018-19, Pimentel said there is a need to suspend classes to prevent loss of life and damage to property.

READ: #WalangPasok: List of class, work suspensions due to ‘Ompong’

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has placed the province under tropical cyclone warning signal (TWCS) number 1 since 4 a.m. Thursday.

Geronimo Burce Jr., Department of Education Camarines Norte Division disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) coordinator, said that as of 5 p.m., no families have been evacuated in the province. He said, however, that the province is ready to provide shelter for those who will require help.

Burce said provisions for evacuations will depend on the need of the local government units. He added that all schools heads have been ordered to coordinate with their local DRRMs.

On Thursday, the towns of Talisay, Daet, Vinzons, San Lorenzo, Jose Panganiban, Mercedes, and Labo have all suspended classes.

As of this writing, all six provinces in the Bicol region have been placed under TWCS number 1. /ee

 READ: Bicol prepares for Typhoon ‘Ompong’