Calabarzon. INQUIRER FILES
LUCENA CITY — Classes at all levels in both public and private schools in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal provinces were suspended on Wednesday, July 24, due to bad weather brought by Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and southwest monsoon.
The declarations were made by governors Jonvic Remulla of Cavite; Ramil Hernandez of Laguna; Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas; and Rebecca Ynares of Rizal.
The announcements were posted on Hernandez and Ynarez respective Facebook pages and Public Information Offices (PIO) of Cavite and Batangas.
Classes in Cavite have already been suspended since Monday.
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Carina
In his order, Hernandez also advised the public “to follow the instructions from the local government if evacuation from your areas is necessary.”
The Batangas PIO also suspended “seminars, conferences, meetings, and similar activities until further notice.”
The suspension of classes and government activities was made upon the assessment and recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), Vice Governor Mark Leviste, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, the PIO said.
“Employers, employees, and all workers are strongly and seriously advised to take most prudent measures to protect the welfare of their families: life, health, and properties,” it said.
Work in government offices in Rizal province was also suspended on Wednesday.
READ: LIST: Class suspensions for July 24
“To ensure the safety of the staff, work in GOVERNMENT OFFICES throughout the province is also SUSPENDED, except for offices related to the provision of basic and health services, disaster or emergency preparedness/response, and other essential services,” Ynares announced in a post on her Facebook page.
Ynarez cited the “red heavy rainfall warning” from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration as the basis for the work suspension order.
“Red” is the most intense and dangerous of all heavy rainfall warnings. It means serious flooding, flooded and unpassable roads, and life-threatening landslides, particularly in hazardous areas.
Cavite City Mayor Denver Chua also suspended work in local government offices “except for offices involved in disaster response, relief operations, health, and peace and order.”