KIDAPAWAN CITY –– Classes in four towns in Cotabato were canceled due to persistent rain, a provincial disaster official said on Tuesday.
Mercideta Foronda, Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said classes were called off in the towns of Carmen, Midsayap, Aleosan, and Alamada due to moderate to heavy rains that could pose a danger to the lives of school children.
Heavy rains soaked the province shortly before Tuesday dawn until morning.
“Students in these places usually cross the river before reaching the school. And because we care for the safety of our students we decided to suspend classes,” Foronda explained.
Foronda said the suspended classes were from pre-school to high school among public schools, while class suspension for private schools was left to the discretion of their school heads.
In Midsayap, the announcement was echoed around 5:30 a.m. at the height of the heavy rains.
In Alamada, classes in elementary and public high schools were also suspended, according to Engineer Jean Pulmones, the town’s disaster risk reduction, and management officer.
Pulmones said the class suspension was implemented in the villages of Lower Dado, Macabasa, Paruayan, Raradangan, Quintas Elementary School in Poloyagan, Mapurok, Rangayen, Barangiran, Dado, Kitacubong, Pacao, Malitubog, Pugcawaran, Huiling, and Bao.
In Aleosan, classes from pre-school to high school were also suspended in the villages of Palacat, Pentil, Lawili, and New Panay.
In Carmen, classes were suspended in Barangay Liliongan.
Foronda advised residents in the low-lying villages in the area to observe the swelling of water in the rivers.
“If water rises in your place, immediately vacate the place and look for safer grounds,” Foronda said.