Classes in Marikina City may resume by January, says mayor
MUDDY PATH Residents of Provident Village in Marikina City on Friday negotiate a street
submerged in mud after the onslaught of Typhoon “Ulysses.” —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Classes in Marikina City may resume by January next year with Mayor Marcelino Teodoro saying the month-long suspension of classes due to the deluge caused by Typhoon Ulysses may be extended.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Tuesday, Teodoro said classes may resume by January since Christmas break will soon start by the time the month-long suspension of classes ends.
“There is a possibility but it might be moot because the month-long suspension when it will end, the Christmas break will commence at that period, so we are thinking of the possibility that classes will be resumed by January,” he said when asked if there is a chance that the suspension of classes in the city could be extended.
But according to Teodoro, an earlier resumption of classes may not be possible because of the “economic hardship” caused by the typhoon.
“We may be able to physically rehabilitate our communities, but the economic hardship brought about by the typhoon Ulysses will be long-felt. I decided to suspend classes because the proper environment is not present at this point in time for our students to have their distance learning at home,” he said.
Teodoro earlier announced that the city government has decided to suspend classes for a month, starting November 16, as it continues to deal with the destruction caused by Typhoon Ulysses to communities.
He said that currently, some of the houses in the city are still “buried” in mud left after the massive flooding, which is being likened to the situation triggered by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
“I just came into my office now. I came from the council. If you will only see the actual condition of our communities, there is really nothing to assess but you will see houses buried in mud, knee-deep mud and people cannot access their homes,” he said.
