Manila chides CEU for delayed suspension of classes

MANILA, Philippines – The City of Manila called out on Tuesday the administration of Centro Escolar University (CEU) for its failure to promptly suspend classes due to inclement weather as ordered by the city government.

Manila Chief Public Information Office Julius Leonen said that his office received complaints from students regarding the non-compliance of CEU on the directive to suspend classes in all levels.

“Upon receiving complaints from students on social media, I immediately called Centro Escolar University to confirm the information,” Leonen told reporters in a Viber message.

“When one of their top management officials answered my call, she said they will immediately be complying with the local government’s announcement. That’s 11:00 am, two hours after we announced,” he added.

Acting Mayor Honey Lacuna ordered the suspension of classes in all levels at 9 a.m. due to inclement weather caused by Tropical Depression Jenny.

Leonen said CEU’s failure to immediately suspend classes caused confusion among students.

This, Leonen said, “shouldn’t happen again.”

Leonen also reiterated the previous call of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to schools and university in the country’s capital regarding the suspension of classes.

“Tulad ng previous pronouncements ni mayor, sana ay hanggang paalala na lang po tayo. Huwag na po nila antayin na maging kumplikado pa ang sitwasyon,” he told INQUIRER.net in a separate message.

Moreno,  on his first day as city mayor last month, threatened to revoke the permit of University of the East (UE) after it failed to comply with his order to suspend classes.

Moreno said that if the university should move out of the city if it cannot follow directives from the city government. /gsg

READ: Manila mayor threatens to revoke UE permit for failure to suspend classes