Classes suspended in Camarines Sur as ‘Amang’ nears

Camarines Sur (shaded in red) (Image from Google Maps)

PILI, Camarines Sur – Camarines Sur Gov. Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte ordered on Sunday morning the suspension of classes on Monday (January 21) on all levels for both public and private schools in the province in anticipation of Tropical Depression “Amang.”

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), moderate to heavy rain will prevail over the Bicol Region on Sunday and Monday.

As of 7 a.m., Amang was spotted at 360 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph.

Villafuerte ordered pre-emptive evacuations of families in low-lying areas and landslide-prone areas in anticipation of the dangers posed by flooding and landslide.

“Due to Tropical Depression Amang, moderate to heavy rain will be experienced in Bicol region starting today which may trigger flooding and landslides,” he said in a memorandum.

“As such, the Provincial Government is declaring a province-wide suspension of classes in all levels (private and public) tomorrow, 21 January 2019. This will ensure the safety of all students,” he said.

Meanwhile, remaining residents of Sitio (sub-village) Garang in Barangay (village) Patitinan in Sagñay town were evacuated at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The town was one of the areas in Camarines Sur hit by landslides and floods during the onslaught of a low pressure area (former tropical depression “Usman”) in December with 31 dead and 15 missing. /cbb