Quezon province map. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY – Due to continuous bad weather brought by Tropical Depression “Amang,” school classes in at least 20 towns from 41 municipalities in Quezon province remained suspended on Thursday, April 13.
According to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO), classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) were “automatically suspended” in areas with storm signals based on Department of Education Order No. 37 issued in 2022.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in its Thursday 8 a.m. bulletin said “Amang” was last located over the coastal waters of Jomalig, Quezon with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted on the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Calauag, Infanta, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Mauban, General Nakar, Perez, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, Lopez) including Polillo Islands.
The local government of Panukulan on Polillo Island also suspended work in government offices on Thursday.
“However, those whose functions involve delivering basic and health services, preparedness/response to disaster and calamities, and/or performing other vital services shall continue with their operation and render the necessary services,” the local government said in a post on its Facebook page.
But, the mayors of Gumaca and General Luna towns declared on Thursday that all classes in public and private schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and ALS are still suspended due to bad weather.
On Wednesday, strong rains brought floods to Lopez town and at least 100 families from four villages were forced to evacuate, the PDRRMO reported.
“The evacuees have already returned home as of Thursday morning, Sonia Leyson, Quezon social welfare office chief said in an online message.
The northern and western portions of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Capalonga, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Vinzons) and the southern portion of Aurora (Dingalan, San Luis) were also placed under storm Signal No. 1.
On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Quezon also suspended sea travel for all vessels due to the weather disturbance.
The suspension order covers the travel of sea vessels from the ports of Calauag, Lopez, Plaridel, Quezon, Perez, Alabat, Mauban, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real and Polilio except Lucena City pier.